30 April, 2008
Ombudsman files for FOI review
The NSW Ombudsman is to conduct a comprehensive review of the State’s 30-year-old Freedom of Information laws after calls for the Government to do so were ignored.
   The Ombudsman, Bruce Barbour, said he would conduct his own independent and comprehensive review of the FOI Act and welcomed Government statements in Parliament that they supported the move.
   “Freedom of Information legislation is one of the cornerstones of good governance,” the Ombudsman said.
   “It ensures that Government decision-making is open and transparent, and that decision-makers are held accountable for their actions.”    
   He said that in the three decades since the NSW FOI Act was drafted, the way Government Departments did business had altered dramatically.
   “The Act has been the subject of more than 60 amendments,” he said. “This has only made it more complex and difficult to navigate.”
   Mr Barbour said both applicants and Agencies regularly voiced their frustrations with it.
   He said other jurisdictions had taken the lead on FOI reform in the past 12 months with a number of encouraging developments emerging.
   “The Queensland Government appointed an independent review panel in September,” he said.
   “Elsewhere, both the Victorian and Western Australian Governments have demonstrated a commitment to ensuring their FOI Acts remain relevant and effective.”
   Mr Barbour said he would conduct simultaneous investigations across a number of Government Agencies, local Councils, Universities and area health services to gain the most complete picture possible of the FOI landscape in NSW.
   “These comprehensive investigations will involve audits of FOI files (and) allow us to assess the day-to-day operation of the Act, what is working well and what could be improved.”    He said the investigations would begin next month.
   The Ombudsman’s Office would release a public discussion paper to provide interested parties with an opportunity to contribute to the review.
   “This will be a detailed document reflecting my Office’s experience in dealing with a wide range of challenges and difficulties related to FOI in NSW,” the Ombudsman said.
   “I hope to receive well-informed and honest comment on the Act, both from those who regularly use the Act and those who deal with it on a day-to-day basis.”
   He said the findings from his investigation would inform a final report and recommendations he would present to Parliament.

30 April, 2008
Copyright survey fit for royalties
All Departments and Agencies are to be required to take part in a copyright screening survey in the coming year, to ensure the Government meets its obligations under the Copyright Act 1968
   The Act allows State and Territory Governments to reproduce copyright material without the permission of the copyright owner but they must pay a fee to the owner for doing so.
   The Department of Premier and Cabinet has now notified all Agencies that they will have to participate in a three-month survey of their television and radio copying to determine the extent of the practice.
   “The NSW Attorney General’s Department is responsible for negotiating arrangements with copyright collecting societies to meet the NSW Government’s obligations under the Act,” DPC said in a Circular.
   “Screenrights is the declared collecting society for Government copying of television and radio.”
   It said prior to reaching agreement with Screenrights, every Agency would be required to conduct an interim survey.
   “The survey will be conducted via email and will require the participation of all staff,” the Circular said.
   “As the copying of radio and television broadcasts is largely concentrated, the impact on staff is likely to be minimal.
   “However, the impact for your Agency will be on those staff members or business units who do undertake copying of radio and television broadcasts for work purposes as well as work units that will be required to report on their copying.”
   It said these work units included libraries and media and communications units.
   Copies of the Circular can be downloaded from the DPC website at www.dpc.nsw.gov.au

30 April, 2008
Families Week OK for PS mums and dads
Staff of the NSW Public Service have been encouraged to take part in Families Week, which will run from 11 to 17 May.
   A circular issued by the Department of Premier and Cabinet said the Government was committed to building healthy families and family friendly workplaces and had introduced a number of practices and procedures to bring them about including its priority ‘A Healthy Workforce: policy on improving the health and well being of public sector employees’.
   Director-General of DPC, Robyn Kruk said the NSW public sector was a leader in family friendly entitlements and flexible working arrangements which were conditions that provided staff with the opportunity to build a healthy work/life balance.
   “I encourage all staff to take time to participate in a National Families Week activity this year,” Ms Kruk said.
   “National Families Week coincides with the United Nations International Day of Families on 15 May. This day is observed by the United Nations to mark the importance of families as the most fundamental units of society, and to draw attention to the plight of many families across the world.”
   She said the theme for the week of 'Work and Family - getting the balance right' reflected the importance of encouraging all Australians, particularly working parents and employers, to find ways to balance their work and family life more effectively, both for themselves and for others.
   “The Public Sector Workforce Office is developing strategies to encourage the use of best practice flexible work practice models,” Ms Kruk said.
   “These strategies will build the position of the NSW public sector as a preferred employer. They will help to attract and retain people to the wide range of occupations available in the NSW public sector.”
   She said the NSW Office for Women supported projects and research focused on improving the balance between paid work and family life.
   She said this was a key issue for women and the publication NSW Women Issue 8, “Juggling Work and Family” highlighted current initiatives to support working parents, carers and families.
   Information about National Families Week, including ways to become involved, could be found at www.familiesaustralia.org.au and the article in NSW Women could be accessed at www.women.nsw.gov.au

30 April, 2008
Alcohol audit is worth drinking to
An audit of how well NSW Police and the Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing work to reduce alcohol-related crime has revealed that while the Agencies were working effectively in many respects, improvements could be made.
   “Reducing alcohol related crime is a challenging task,” the Auditor-General, Peter Achterstraat said in his report entitled Working with Hotels and Clubs to Reduce Alcohol-Related Crime.
   “Therefore it is important that Government Agencies and licensees work together.”
   Mr Achterstraat’s audit was designed to assess how well the Police and OLGR worked with hotels and clubs to reduce alcohol-related crime and anti-social behavior.
   “We found that OLGR is working with licensees to promote the responsible service of alcohol,” the audit report said. “Police approach to working with licensees varied.”
   It said while both Police and OLGR enforced the liquor laws, it was important they did so with reasonable consistency.
   “However we found inconsistencies within Police, and between Police and OLGR, in how they dealt with liquor offences.
   “For example, one licensing officer might take a licensee to court for a practice that another issued a warning for.
   “This left licensees we spoke to sceptical about whether the laws were being applied fairly.”
   The audit report noted that OLGR was taking a more active role in enforcing the law, raising the possibility of an increased risk of duplication.
   “Both Agencies now need to clarify their roles and responsibilities to reduce this risk and achieve a consistent approach across the State,” the Auditor said.
   “This should be a priority given that the new liquor reforms commence mid-2008.”
   Among a number of recommendations, the Auditor-General said the Police and OLGR should settle on a standard approach to enforcing the liquor laws, deliver patron education campaigns and provide better training for general duty Police.
   He called for a working party to be set up to clarify their respective roles and responsibilities and develop a risk-based annual program which identified the areas and licensed premises to be targeted.
   In their responses, OLGR agreed with all the Auditor-General’s recommendations and the Police referred to the establishment of its Alcohol and Licensing Enforcement Command as its way of dealing with many of the issues raised in the audit.

30 April, 2008
Refugees cash in on Centrelink charity
A charitable trust run by the employees of Centrelink is to help pay for an information day for refugee women in Sydney.
   Centrelink’s Ross Divett Foundation has joined the Fairfield Multicultural Health Service, the Assyrian Resource Centre, the Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors, Fairfield Community Counselling Service and Karitane, to host the day which is aimed at engaging Assyrian women refugees.
   Centrelink staff donate more than $3000 a fortnight to the Foundation via payroll donations and raise additional funds from other activities.
   Cabramatta Centrelink Multicultural Services Officer, Audrey Lai, said Centrelink, through the Foundation, was proud to be part of the information day for the Assyrian women refugees.
   “Information days such as this are an important first step in assimilating Assyrian refugee women into Australian society,” Ms Lai said.
   “One can only imagine the barriers these women have had to overcome just to be here today.”
   She said many of the women had been subject to torture and trauma.
   “So an information day like this where they can get information on the important support services available to them will go a long way to overcoming the feeling of isolation often associated with refugee women.”
   Ms Lai said raising money for the Ross Divett Foundation in order to help organisations like the Fairfield Multicultural Health Service contributed positively to the community.
   “The staff themselves raised the money for the Ross Divett Foundation - a trust through which Centrelink employees can contribute financially to charities and the Australian community,” she said.
   “The Foundation has given around $80,000 to different organisations across Australia in 2007, including a $2,735 donation to the Fairfield Multicultural Health Service to assist them in their work with refugees and newly arrived migrants.”
   She said funding from The Ross Divett Foundation enabled community organisations such as the Fairfield Multicultural Health Service to continue to provide assistance and support to one of the most culturally diverse areas in Australia.

30 April, 2008
Uniform accounts get bright new look
A new guide to improving the clarity and transparency of Government financial statements across Australia has been issued by the Commonwealth Treasury.
   The 2008 version of the Uniform Presentation Framework aims to harmonise Government Finance Statistics and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles across all State, Territory and the Commonwealth Governments and stemmed from a review prompted by the release of the Australian Accounting Standards Board’s new accounting standard for the public sector in October 2007.
   The revised Framework incorporates revisions to the Uniform Presentation Framework agreed by the Australian Loan Council in March 2002, March 2003 and March 2008 and is to be implemented across all jurisdictions prior to their 2009-10 Budgets.
   According to the Federal Treasury, the revisions to the Framework in 2002 and 2003 were also aimed at improving transparency and included more detailed reporting in the operating statement and of expenses by function as well as the inclusion of extra detail on purchases of assets.
   “The reviews of the UPF in 2002 and 2003, and more recently to consider the impact of the new accounting standard AASB 1049 Whole of Government and General Government Sector Financial Reporting (AASB 1049) were undertaken by the UPF Committee, convened by Heads of Treasuries for these tasks,” it said.
   “The Committee comprised representatives from Australian, State and Territory Treasuries and the Australian Department of Finance and Deregulation.”
   It consulted with the Australian Bureau of Statistics and the Commonwealth Grants Commission.
   The new Framework can be downloaded from the Commonwealth Treasury website www.treasury.gov.au

30 April, 2008
Escalator a step up for Opera House
Sydney Opera House is to install its first-ever interior escalators to move patrons to the Opera Theatre and Concert Hall.
   Construction of the two sets of escalators is due to start in December 2008 and be completed by mid-2009.    
   They are to be installed within the main stairs, hidden by a pre-cast wall that matches the design of the existing side walls.
   According to Chief Executive, Richard Evans, when the escalators are used in conjunction with the new lift being installed, concert-goers will avoid climbing a total of 184 stairs and walking a distance of about 500 metres.
   Mr Evans said the lift and escalators were key components of the renovations to the Western Foyers, were designed by architect Jørn Utzon, and were the first major changes made to the building since it was World Heritage Listed in 2007.
   He said approximately 20 per cent of the population had mobility problems and the new facilities were expected to benefit hundreds of thousands of visitors.
   “Sydney Opera House was designed at a time when accessibility wasn’t really thought about,” Mr Evans said.
   “We’re trying to make it easier for the elderly and less able to have the same access as anyone else.”
   He said work on the lift, which would hold up to 50 people and connect the Lower Concourse, the Western Foyers and the Box Office foyer, was well underway and it should open in December 2008.
   He said it would be accessible from a short underground corridor on the Lower Concourse level near the Opera House shop.
   The Federal Minister for Ageing, Justine Elliot, congratulated the Sydney Opera House Trust and NSW Government for recognising the mobility needs of older people and people with disabilities.
   “There are currently 1.9 million Australians aged 70 years and over, comprising nearly 10 percent of the population; a number that will double in the next 20 years,” Mrs Elliott said. 
   “With this comes the challenge of making sure our public buildings and institutions are able to meet the mobility needs of older, frail people.”
   The $38 million renovations to the Western Foyers project was funded by the NSW Government.

30 April, 2008
New waste rules not throwaway lines
Changes to NSW waste legislation which came into force this week have been designed to streamline the process of waste licensing and regulation and place a greater emphasis on resource recovery.
   Amendments to the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 (POEO Act) and the Protection of the Environment Operations (Waste) Regulation 2005 followed consultation with the waste industry and the broader community.
   Under the changes, fewer and simpler waste licensing categories have been introduced, a streamlined waste classification system adopted, new resource recovery licensing categories and exemptions created and clearer requirements introduced for managing asbestos and clinical waste.
   According to the Department of Environment and Climate Change, its waste management focus was on providing a clear and consistent regulatory and policy framework that minimised harm to the environment and delivered greater waste avoidance and resource recovery.
   “This framework uses a mix of legislative, policy, educative and economic tools to encourage waste avoidance and the further recovery of resources,” the Department said.
   It said the aim of the POEO Act was to reduce risks to human health and prevent the degradation of the environment from pollution and harmful wastes. It was also aimed at encouraging reductions in the use of materials and the re-use, recovery and recycling of some of them.  
   “Regulatory mechanisms such as the waste and environment levy help drive waste avoidance and resource recovery by providing an economic incentive to reduce waste disposal and stimulate alternative waste technologies,” the Department said.
   ”Achieving a reduction in waste generation, and turning waste into recoverable resources is a priority for NSW.”
   It said programs had been established under the Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Act 2001 to help meet the challenge and programs and policies had been identified in a Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Strategy.

30 April, 2008
Research project is affair of the arts
A three month research project into the creative industries in NSW has been launched by Arts NSW and the Innovative Strategies Unit of the Department of State and Regional Development (DSRD).
   A Project Control Group consisting of members from DSRD, NSW Treasury, Arts NSW and the Nous consulting group has been established to oversee the project.
   Arts NSW said the project aimed to identify the economic fundamentals of the creative industries, including employment, business numbers and export levels, and the impacts they had on the NSW economy.
   It said this would provide an evidence base for policies and investigation into key areas where the Government could help to create an environment where it was easier for businesses to innovate and stimulate economic growth.
   It said the project team would conduct round table discussions with stakeholders from sub-sectors including advertising and marketing; architecture, design and visual art; music and performing arts; publishing; film, television and radio; and software and interactive content.
   The sub-sectors had been adopted in line with definitions from the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Creative Industries and Innovation at the Queensland University of Technology.
   Arts NSW said the creative industries included entertainment, media, design, fashion and the creative arts, and were among the five sectors identified in the Government’s State Plan as having the greatest potential for growth.
   It said the report and recommendations would be presented to the NSW Innovation council and ultimately to the Premier, Morris Iemma and it expected the report to be made public in July.
    Further information on the project could be obtained by contacting Arts NSW on 9228 5426 or 9228 4599.

30 April, 2008
Jade wins gold in Youth Award
A young Centrelink employee from Newcastle has beaten all before her and taken out the prestigious Centrelink National Youth Award.
   Jade Howard was judged the best and brightest of 1,800 Centrelink employees under 25 for her commitment to customer service, high levels of corporate citizenship and for being a role model to her fellow Centrelink officers.
    The Awards recognise the contributions the Agency’s young employees made to the community they worked in and highlighted their outstanding achievements.
   Centrelink’s Newcastle Call Manager, Chris Dawes said Ms Howard had previously worked in the transport industry and had no customer service experience prior to joining its Newcastle Call Centre in 2005.
   Mr Dawes said she had shown outstanding qualities and fully embraced her role and responsibilities as a Customer Service Adviser.
   Ms Howard said being nominated for the award was an honour and that winning was a huge shock.
   “I love my job and enjoy what I do, which is dealing with people, so taking the award home really is icing on the cake!” she said.
   “To be recognised for good customer service is really pleasing for me.”
   Ms Howard said her job included talking to people who needed someone to listen to.
   “Customer service to me, is all about relating to people and having empathy for them and their situations – it’s not rocket science,” she said.
   Mr Dawes, said Ms Howard’s contribution to the call centre team made her a worthy recipient of the award.
   “She’s always willing to provide assistance to both new staff and those who have been around a while,” he said.
    “It’s not just the work that Jade excels in, Jade has that rare ability to brighten your day and leave you feeling good about yourself - that’s a rare gift.”

30 April, 2008
Tourism crooks take tourists for ride
Three Ministers have joined forces to crack down on tourism operators using unfair and misleading practices to exploit inbound tourists.
   The Ministers for Fair Trading, Linda Burney; Tourism, Matt Brown; and Federal Minister for Tourism, Martin Ferguson, have launched a joint effort to investigate complaints against the operators and secure refunds for affected tourists.
   The investigation focused on Sydney-based businesses involved in the Korean tourist market and was led by the NSW Office of Fair Trading.
   It followed a Korean-language consumer rights information campaign led by the Australian Government which aimed at educating visitors about their consumer rights in Australia.
   Mr Ferguson said the success of the Korean scheme would lead to further foreign language consumer protection initiatives over the next year.
   “Last year, Australian tourism Gross Domestic Product grew by 7.8 per cent to be worth AU$38.9 billion,” Mr Ferguson said.
   “However, this success depends on Australia maintaining a reputation as a destination that values and welcomes tourists.”
   He said he launched the strategy to give travelers the resources they needed in their own language.
   “Unfortunately, there are some rogue traders in the industry who have sought to prey on international visitors.”
   Mr Ferguson said the Korean inbound market was the scheme’s first focus and that in the past six months, 26 online complaints had been received by Fair Trading about tour operators and retail venues.
   He said Australian businesses were obliged to treat all consumers fairly.
   “For this reason we are working to educate travelers so they know what their rights are, but we are also educating retailers and tour operators about their responsibilities to their customers," Mr Ferguson said
   Ms Burney said Fair Trading was negotiating refunds for tourists who paid for so-called health products that had either been misrepresented or provided little or no benefit, and that they would be targeting inner-suburban duty-free outlets specialising in health and therapeutic goods.
   Mr Brown said the experience in the Korean market showed the strategy was important in ensuring growth in tourism to Australia and that NSW was not disrupted by rogue businesses.
   “It is vital to Australian tourism that NSW creates a positive experience for visitors,” Mr Brown said.
   “We cannot afford to let our reputation be damaged by shonky operators out to make a quick buck.”
   Mr Ferguson said following the success of the scheme in the Korean market, the initiative would be rolled out in the China market.
   “China is on track to become our largest tourism market within the next decade,” he said.
   “Now is the time to build Australia's reputation as a trustworthy, quality tourist destination."

30 April, 2008
Mortgage help kit strikes home
The NSW Legal Aid Commission and the Consumer Credit Legal Centre have developed an online resource to help homeowners manage their mortgages.
   The Mortgage Kit provides helpful information for people in trouble with their mortgage, from those having difficulty meeting their mortgage payments to those in the process of being evicted from their homes.
   According to the kit developers, the number of people likely to need the kit was growing.
   “The number of people seeking help in relation to mortgage and financial stress has massively increased over the last three years,” they said.
   They said the content of the kit included a number of documents published by the Legal Aid Commission, Department of Housing and law Access.
   These documents were:
   * Problems paying your mortgage? Things you can do.
   * They are trying to take my home
   * Mortgage Assistance Scheme
   * Do You have a Legal problem?
   * LawAccess Wallet Card
   To arrange for a kit to be sent out, or to find out more about what you can do about mortgage stress, readers should contact LawAccess NSW on 1300 888 529.

30 April, 2008
Mental health plan is good thinking
Training the mental health workers of tomorrow today was one way the NSW Government was tackling the skills shortage in the mental health field.
   Minister Assisting the Minister for Health in Mental Health issues, Paul Lynch said the Government was growing its own specialist community workers in the Non-Government sector and working with the Mental Health Coordinating Council (MHCC) to avoid the skill shortage threat.
   Mr Lynch said the Government had invested $750,000 over three years to establish a registered Learning Development Unit to develop the skills needed to support people with a mental illness.
   He recently presented 20 students with a Certificate IV in Mental Health at a ceremony at the Australian Technology Park in Redfern.
   "By the year 2010, this Unit plans to produce 1595 graduates," Mr Lynch said.
   "They will help the NSW Government deliver on its commitment to treat and rehabilitate people with a mental illness.”
   He said the Government’s commitment to mental health services in partnership with NGOs had seen them receive $28.4 million 2007-08.
   "We understand the need to have a skilled work force to support the resources directed at mental health," Mr Lynch said.
   "We're working to attract new workers to mental health and provide pathways to recognise the skills of existing workers.”
   The Chief Executive of the MHCC, Dr Jenna Bateman said it was no longer useful to see mental health training as relevant only to people working in specialist mental health services.
   "Mental health training benefits those individuals working in almost all the social service areas: drug and alcohol, criminal justice, domestic violence, family support and youth services," Dr Bateman said.
   "The MHCC sees the establishment of the Learning and Development Unit as raising mental health awareness and the skills base of workers across the broad community sector," she said.

30 April, 2008
Little people take over Botanic Gardens
A fun program at Sydney’s Royal Botanic Gardens would help three to five year-old preschool children appreciate the magic of music, according to the Botanic Gardens Trust Community Programs Officer, Relle Mott.
   Ms Mott said the aim of the music education program, Sing, Say, Move, Play, was to get children to enjoy music and movement in a natural setting.
   “We’ll move the children around the Gardens to different locations each week,” Ms Mott said, “to shady trees on warm days and sunny hillsides on cool days.
   “We’ll also utilise common garden materials such as bamboo and terracotta flower pots to make simple percussion instruments.”
   Ms Mott said the program would be similar to a structured play group with the focus on a music program especially designed for early childhood.
   “The Royal Botanic Gardens is an ideal place for preschoolers to come and learn about music,” she said.
   “They’ll have the added benefit of having fun surrounded by nature and plants, creating a relationship with the Royal Botanic Gardens to last a lifetime.”
   Ms Mott said the classes would be led by two experienced teachers, Susan Head and Robbie McGregor.
   Ms Head said the classes would be based on the Orff Schulwerk system which recognised the first musical instrument was the human body.
   “Through the senses we gather information about our surroundings, and our mind interprets and reassembles that information,” she said.
   “The Orff Schulwerk approach to music education emphasises a love of music and making music of one’s own through singing songs, saying poetry/rhymes, moving to sounds, body percussion and playing percussion instruments.”
   Ms Head said the classes would include rhythmic word patterns, body percussion, singing, the drawing and painting of sounds, dancing and stories to cater for all children.
   Ms Mott said Sing, Say, Move, Play would be held every Thursday from 1 May to 5 June from 10am to 11am.
   She said it would cost $100 for six classes, which would be held at the Botanic Garden’s Education Centre.
   She said parents interested in more information or wanting to make a booking could contact the Botanic Gardens Trust on (02) 9231 8134.

30 April, 2008
History students to make history
School students have been invited to compete for the title of Australian Young Historian of the Year.
   The Federal Education Minister, Julia Gillard, has officially opened the 2008 National History Challenge with the theme: Australia Meets the World.
   “The Challenge is a research-based contest that gives students the opportunity to develop the skills of an historian through an investigation of the past,” Ms Gillard said.
   “All students from Years 5 to 12 around the nation are encouraged to take part in this exciting experience.”
   She said students who entered the Challenge could submit essays, museum displays or audiovisual presentations. Winners would be rewarded with cash prizes and a trip to Canberra.
   “Through the Challenge, students can investigate their community, explore their past, examine major events that have helped Australia evolve as a nation, or formulate new ideas and theories,” Ms Gillard said.
   Finalists from each State and Territory will be flown to Canberra to compete for the national title of the Australian Young Historian of the Year. Each finalist will receive a cash prize and a medallion. The Australian Young Historian of the Year will receive $500, a plaque and a certificate.
   “The 2008 National History Challenge will undoubtedly produce more fine examples of student achievement and show how Australian students are developing their research skills while learning more about our nation’s past,” Ms Gillard said.
   “The Government believes the study of Australian history is essential and, as announced in 2007, it will be a key element in the new National Curriculum.”
   Ms Gillard said the Australian Government would work cooperatively with the States and Territories through a National Curriculum Board to implement a rigorous, content-based national history curriculum for all Australian students from Kindergarten to Year 12.
   Entries for the National History Challenge close in August 2008. For more information about the Challenge and how to enter the competition, visit: www.historychallenge.com.au  

30 April, 2008
Court gets tough On caught kids
Magistrates in the Children’s Court are to be given extra powers to order juvenile offenders to participate in education, training and behavioural programs.
   Attorney General, John Hatzistergos announced the plan saying the new powers would help the Government achieve its State Plan goals of reducing crime rates, re-offending and anti-social behaviour.
   “The community simply won’t accept uncontrollable kids being left to graduate into career criminals,” Mr Hatzistergos said.
   He said Magistrates would be given the option of ordering juvenile offenders to complete vocational or behavioural programs as part of community service orders.
   “Evidence shows that a lack of education and training significantly contribute to offending behaviour.
   “This will give young offenders a chance to get the skills they need to get a job and turn away from a life of crime.”
   Mr Hatzistergos said children who failed to complete their orders could be sent to a juvenile detention centre.
   “If they refuse to take advantage of this opportunity, they run the risk of spending time behind bars.”
   He said the Government already ran education, training and behavioural programs for serious offenders in juvenile detention, and he was confident vocation training would also be of benefit to children sentenced to community service orders.
   Mr Hatzistergos said the Young Offenders Act 1997 set out a strict policy of how police dealt with young offenders.
   He said a first time or low level offender could be given a warning or an official caution, and if they received three cautions they automatically faced Children’s Court.
   He said young offenders could also be forced to face youth justice conferences where they would be confronted by their victims, their parents and police to determine punishment.
    Mr Hatzistergos said serious offenders would be brought before the Children’s Court.

30 April, 2008
Rabbits pelted at Mosman
A feral rabbit control program has commenced in selected areas of Mosman and is expected to conclude on 16 May.
   The program has been coordinated by the National Parks and Wildlife Service which has warned pet owners to keep dogs and other animals out of the reserves during the baiting period.
   The NPWS said staff would be erecting warning signs at all entry points to reserves and placing public notices in the Mosman Daily.

Heroes wanted for awards
The Federal Parliamentary Secretary for Social Inclusion, Senator Ursula Stephens, has urged NSW residents to nominate a local hero for the National Disability Awards.
   Senator Stephens said the awards recognised the achievements and contributions individuals with a disability had made to the community, or the contributions of individuals to the disability sector.
   She said there were five nomination categories and that award recipients would be announced in December.

Children protected
Children of female de-facto couples are to be given equal rights and protections under new legislation to be introduced into NSW parliament.
   The Government is to adopt a NSW law Reform Commission recommendation to give parenting rights to a mother’s de-facto same sex partner.
   Attorney General, John Hatzistergos said the move would protect the rights of children in the areas of health, victim compensation payments, inheritance and guardianship.

Smoking paper put out
A discussion paper released by NSW Premier Morris Iemma has outlined a number of anti-smoking proposals aimed at reducing children's exposure and access to cigarettes and tobacco products.
   The Paper includes proposals on the banning of all tobacco vending machines, outlawing smoking in cars with children and removing line of sight retail sale of cigarettes.
   Mr Iemma said submissions would be accepted until 22 June and the paper would be available at www.health.nsw.gov.au.

Brigade releases recruits
Twenty-one recruits have graduated from the NSW Fire Brigade’s State Training College and are to take up careers in fire fighting across Sydney.
   Fire Brigades Commissioner, Greg Mullins congratulated the graduates who had completed 16 weeks of intensive training.
   The recruits were presented with their graduating certificates by Commissioner Mullins and the Minister for Emergency Services, Nathan Rees, in Alexandria.

23 April, 2008
Smartbuy improved by clever ideas
NSW Procurement has announced improvements to its electronic procurement system, Smartbuy, enhancing the use of General Ledger Codes and Messages.
   Available from 18 April, the enhancements made to the Smartbuy TRADE application were designed to decrease purchasing cycle-times while continuing to provide a high level of usability.
   According to NSW Procurement, the new arrangement for General Ledger Coding would allow them to be added to individual Departments within an Agency account. Until now they were only available at Agency level.
  “This delivers easier access to find and allocate General Ledger financial codes which are specific to a Department, in place of searching through the entire Agency list to find the relevant code,” the Agency said.
   The second enhancement is an update of messages in Smartbuy to provide clearer and more meaningful information to users.
   “Messages for the use of General Ledger Codes have been updated to assist users in adding financial codes to their requisitions,” the Agency said.
   “Messages for the use of Externally Hosted Catalogues have been updated to assist and remind users about recreating requisition orders that have items from an Externally Hosted Catalogue (such as OfficeMax).”
   NSW Procurement said the improvements would help the users of Smartbuy meet their eProcurement business requirements.
   More information, or to provide feedback, users are invited to contact the NSW Procurement Client Support Centre on 1800 003 985 or by email at nswp_support@commerce.nsw.gov.au   

23 April, 2008
Star treatment for gold star trainers
The Riverina Institute of TAFE NSW has become a leading Registered Training Organisation with a Two Gold Star Rating for its Metals and Engineering courses.
   Director of Educational Delivery at Riverina Institute, Graeme Stuchbery said the newest Star Rating in Metals and Engineering meant the Institute had achieved four successful Gold Star Ratings by The Institute for Trade Skills Excellence and Industry (The Institute).
   Mr Stuchbery said the Star Rating Scheme recognised excellence in trade skills training among TAFE and Registered Training Organisations and was administered by The Institute.
   “The recognition we have received validates our position as a leading choice in training in the Metals and Engineering industry,” he said.
   He said the Star Rating Scheme identified the best training providers to enable employers, career counselors, potential students, and parents to distinguish excellence in trade training.
   He said industry areas within Registered Training Organisations could receive a one, two or three Gold Star Rating to indicate they had achieved excellent results for their students.
   Mr Stuchbery said the rating scheme focused on eight areas of skill shortage: Automotive; Building and Construction; Electrical; Hospitality and Personal Services; Manufacturing; Metals and Engineering; Mineral Resources; and Rural and Farming.
   Chief Executive Officer of The Institute for Trade Skills Excellence, Brian Wexham, said the Star Rating Scheme reassured students that they were selecting the most appropriate course.
   “One of the biggest concerns when choosing a course is whether or not it will get people the job they want when they complete the course,” Mr Wexham said.
   “Thanks to the Star Ratings Scheme, prospective students and employers now have a credible source to validate a course.”
   He said the rating scheme was industry driven and had been developed to provide the vocational training outcomes required to meet industry needs.
   Mr Stuchbery said the training organisation viewed the Star Rating Scheme as an effective way of addressing Australia’s skills shortage situation.
   “During this critical skills shortage period, we welcome initiatives that seek to identify and meet specific industry needs - such as the Star Rating Scheme,” he said.
   “They help us ensure that our apprentices and trainees have the right skills to contribute to industry and the region’s economy.” 
   He said further information could be found at www.tradeskills.com.au   

23 April, 2008
AGD toolkit tightens decision making role
A new toolkit has been released by the Attorney-General’s Department to help assess the capacity of people with decision-making difficulties.
   Attorney General, John Hatzistergos, launched the Toolkit which he said was developed by the Department’s Diversity Services Branch.
   Mr Hatzistergos said the Toolkit contained information about the concept of capacity assessment; guidance on when a capacity assessment may be needed; and information about the legalities of capacity guidance, such as making a contract, a will and managing financial matters.
   He said the Toolkit would be a valuable reference for family, friends, carers and community organisations involved with people whose decision-making capacities were in question.
      Mr Hatzistergos said professionals who undertook capacity assessments, such as doctors, community workers, lawyers and finance staff, would also find the Toolkit useful.
      He said assessing a person’s capacity could be a difficult task, with an incorrect decision having potentially serious consequences.
“Being unfairly denied the right to make important life decisions could have a devastating impact on a person’s self esteem, dignity and sense of freedom.”
      Mr Hatzistergos said a person who lacked the capacity to make decisions could place themselves in danger and be subjected to exploitation if they were not identified and given appropriate assistance.
      He said dementia was one of the disabilities that could restrict a person’s decision-making capacity and that around 1,000 Australians were diagnosed with dementia each week.
“By 2050, it is estimated that almost three per cent of the nation’s population will be affected by dementia.”
      He said before the Toolkit was established there were few local resources to help assess capacity.
“This Toolkit will make the process easier, and sets out simple steps to follow in determining capacity,” he said.
      Mr Hatzistergos said the Toolkit was the result of extensive community consultation with a range of stakeholders.
    He said more information could be found at www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au or by contacting the Diversity Services Branch on (02) 8688 7507 or by email at diversity.services@agd.nsw.gov.au

23 April, 2008
Green projects are corps promise
The Federal Minister for Employment Participation, Brendan O’Connor, has announced 14 new Green Corps projects for NSW.
   Mr O’Connor said the projects were part of 65 new Green Corps projects Australia-wide and would help participants gain new skills while helping to conserve and restore NSW’s environment and heritage.
   He said Green Corps was a Federally funded program for young people aged 17 to 20.
   "The new round of Green Corps projects gives young people the chance to get involved with projects that restore and preserve our beautiful natural environment and heritage,” Mr O’Connor said.
   He said the projects to be run in NSW would include track reclamation and clearing at Milson Island along the Hawkesbury River; biodiversity and enhancement protection at Coffs Harbour; Freshwater Cod habitat restoration at Kungala; and bushcare projects at coastal communities at Berry, Bangalee and Vincentia.
   “Young people work in teams under the supervision of a qualified team leader, earn a weekly training allowance while at the same time receive training in recognised skills that are designed to lead to work in related fields,” Mr O’Connor said.
   He said other approved locations of Green Corps projects in New South Wales included Liverpool, Lansdowne, Parramatta, Shoalhaven, Corrimal, Warners Bay, Miller, Jervis Bay, Kurrajong and Wollongong.
   Mr O’Connor said more information was available at www.greencorps.gov.au

23 April, 2008
Water licensees tap into online tool
An on-line tool developed by the Department of Water and Energy that allows the holders of water licences to enter the water trading market quickly has been launched by the Minister for Water, Nathan Rees.
   Mr Rees said the tool – known as the Security Interests Conversion facility – will cut red tape and enable water licence holders to start trading much earlier.
   He said while licence holders were free to temporarily or permanently trade part or all of their licensed water entitlements they needed to find out from the Department of Lands if anyone had a security interest in their licence before doing so the first time.
   “Previously this was done via a written application processed manually and could take up to three weeks to resolve,” Mr Rees said.
   “But the new online Security Interests Conversion facility enables interests to be resolved over the internet, delivering an outcome within days.“
   He said the streamlined system would enable licensees to move more quickly to enter the water trading market to maximise commercial benefits.
   Mr Rees said the Security Interests Conversion tool could also be used by interest holders to lodge existing interests for registration on the Water Access Licence Register.
   He said it was is part of the Government’s commitment to cut red tape and reduce the administration burden on NSW businesses.
   “Stakeholders are encouraged to get online to find out if a person or company has an interest in your water access licence or to register your interests via this new online tool,” Mr Rees said.
   “Other water management activities would be brought online soon, including a new ‘Water Applications Online’ system to be operational by mid 2008.”
   He said the ‘Water Applications Online’ system would reduce the waiting period for permanent water dealing approvals by up to seven days by allowing users to submit applications for permanent water dealings over the internet and load the details directly into the Department of Water and Energy’s licensing database for processing.
   Mr Rees said the new online Security Interests Conversion tool could be accessed via the Department of Water and Energy’s website: www.naturalresources.nsw.gov.au/water/act_security.shtml
   Mr Rees also said NSW was leading Australia in increasing competition and encouraging private sector involvement in water recycling.
   Addressing a Committee for Economic Development of Australia (CEDA) forum in Sydney, Mr Rees said a series of measures had been put in place by the Government to meet the water needs of the Greater Sydney area for the next 50-years, including massive recycling.

23 April, 2008
Borderline visit has shops on edge
A visit to Albury by Fair Trading Inspectors enforcing compliance and educating business people had been a success according to Acting Minister for Fair Trading, Matt Brown.
   Mr Brown said the Albury Super RAP (regional access program) was the first time a team of inspectors had visited a large regional Centre under the program.
   “The beauty of a Super RAP is that Fair Trading inspectors can blitz petrol stations, real estate agents, home building sites and motor dealers in one swoop,” Mr Brown said.
   He said over one week in Albury, Fair Trading inspectors had visited 208 traders to make sure they were meeting their legal obligations.
   “As a result of inspections, a total of 31 penalty notices were issued.
   “The overwhelming majority of the penalty notices – 23 – were issued to motor dealers for offences such as omitting information from the official register and failing to have necessary documents available in the vehicles.”
   Mr Brown said the motor dealers had been informed of the legal issues and warned that follow-up visits would take place to ensure problems had been fixed. 
   He said four of the notices were issued for unlicensed residential building activity and eight matters were to be investigated further.
   Mr Brown said not everyone had fallen short of their legal responsibilities.
   “Petrol stations were targeted and inspectors found that petrol and LPG bowsers were accurate and operating correctly,” he said.
   “A number of stores were visited and Fair Trading is satisfied that traders take very seriously their responsibility in supplying safe products to their customers.” 
   Mr Brown said six education seminars were conducted during the campaign targeting home builders, landlords and incorporated associations.
   He said sessions on consumer and financial literacy were also held for TAFE and high school students. 
   “Fair Trading will continue to conduct regular compliance and education campaigns across the State to ensure that consumers are well informed on their rights and that traders are meeting their obligations under the law,” Mr Brown said.
   He said the next Super RAP would be held in Coffs Harbour at the end of April, and further information on the program could be found at www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au

23 April, 2008
OIR warns on closed shops for Youth Day
The Office of Industrial Relations has advised employers considering closing their business for World Youth Day to ensure they make timely arrangements with their staff.
   The Office said World Youth Day was not a Public Holiday and the expected influx of visitors to Sydney might mean some employers would make alternative business arrangements.
   It said employers who wished to close during World Youth Day activities, and needed their staff to take annual leave, must follow the Annual Holidays Act, 1944, which said they have to give employees a month’s notice.
   It said full-time staff who did not have enough annual leave available to them could negotiate with their employer to take leave in advance, by mutual agreement.
   “If this is not possible, the employer must pay the employee their minimum wage entitlements,” the Office’s advice said.
   It said for casual employees, employers could give appropriate notice and re-roster them but any additional hours worked were subject the relevant Award or workplace agreement covering payment of overtime or penalty rates.
   “Rostering and employment of additional staff may have to be considered in the hospitality industries,” the Office said.
   It said employers also needed to consider the ability of their employees to attend work due to possible transport restrictions.
   World Youth Day, to be held in Sydney from 15 to 20 July, was expected to attract over 125,000 international visitors.
   The OIR advice said employers could contact it on 13 16 28 for more information but employers working under the Federal Industrial Relations system could contact the federal Workplace Authority on 1300 363 264.

23 April, 2008
Melanoma Centre more than a molehill
One of the largest melanoma research and treatment facilities in the world is to be built in Sydney’s north.
   Minister for Planning, Frank Sartor, said the project had been approved and would cost $22 million.
   Mr Sartor said the facility, planned for Wollstonecraft, would accommodate the Sydney Melanoma Unit (SMU) which treated around one-third of all melanoma patients in NSW.
   “Australia has the highest incidence of melanoma in the world and this new Centre will play an important role in helping to tackle the problem,” Mr Sartor said.
   He said the SMU was currently spread across four locations, and that the new centre would ensure better patient outcomes by having treatment in a single research-oriented facility.
   “Importantly, bringing these services together under one roof will free-up more funds for research,” Mr Sartor said.
   He said the 3,500 square metre Centre would house a biological bank of melanoma specimens - envisaged to become the largest in the world - to help develop new and innovative cancer treatments.
   He said the facility would be located on the site of Justinian House, across the road from the Mater Hospital which also treats melanoma patients and be linked to existing cancer treatment infrastructure at the Mater Hospital to create a melanoma facility that provided clinical care; undertook research; and provided clinician training in translating oncology research into patient care.
   The Minister said St Vincent’s and Mater Health were managing the planning and construction of the facility.
   He said the proposal had been assessed as a major project by the Department of Planning because it was a medical research facility valued at more than $15 million.

23 April, 2008
Rural views put In 2020 vision
An alliance between the Department of Primary Industries and Charles Sturt University has led to innovation and improvements in the quality of agricultural research, training and education for rural communities.
   Formed through the establishment of the EH Graham Centre for agricultural innovation, the strength of the alliance was recognised when the Director of the Centre, Professor Deirdre Lemerle was invited to the Federal Government’s 2020 ideas summit held in Canberra recently.
   Professor Lemerle attended to put the Centre’s viewpoint on future directions for rural industries and rural communities.
   "The challenge of climate change, increasing fuel, fertiliser and herbicide costs has made it imperative that we provide new information to help rural communities adapt and continue to practise and develop sustainable and productive farming practices,” Professor Lemerle said.
    "Innovation is the key for survival in this hotter and drier climate, so that we can still benefit from high commodity prices and continue to be environmentally sustainable.”
    Professor Lemerle is regarded in the Riverina for her research into weeds. She was a member of the design team of the ‘Stubble Star’, the unique no-till, sowing device which made the grand final of the ABC’s ‘New Inventors’.
   She said her vision for the Summit was to help develop systems for rural communities to increase the capacity of farmers to deal with water shortages, variable climates, increasing costs and a skills/labour shortage.
   She said the Federal Government would be left in no doubt about the importance agriculture to the Australian economy and the need for continued Government support for rural communities.
   Also attending the summit with Professor Lemerle were CSU’s Professor of Social Work and Human Services, Margaret Alston, and Professor of Hydrology, Shahbaz Khan.

23 April, 2008
Transport policy is fare go for carers
Carers of people with severe or profound disabilities will now be able to travel on public transport and to events for the cost of a single ticket.
   Minister for Disability Services, Kristina Keneally, has announced that the Government is to introduce a Companion Card for use by people with disabilities.
   "The Companion Card recognises that a carer is indispensable to a person with a profound or severe disability and gives them equal access to services and facilities like everyone else," Ms Keneally said.
   She said the Government would give the card to people who always or usually required the assistance of a carer in their daily lives.
   She said eligibility would be based on the needs of the person with the disability.
   "The card will be free, it won’t be means tested,” she said.
   “We estimate it will make it easier for about 25,000 people in NSW to better access the community, everyday services and events.”
   Ms Keneally said she believed there would be strong support for the card from the private sector, particularly entertainment and sporting businesses, as well as from public buses and trains.
   The Companion Card would be introduced this year.
   "Based on the experience of States who have introduced a similar scheme, we know that it will take six months or more to set up the Companion Card – so we are looking forward to introducing the service in mid- to late-2008.
   “In the interim we will continue to work with the Australian Government to make the card a national scheme.”
   Ms Keneally said the Card was only one of a number of services the Government was offering to help carers.
   She said other services included an extra 1,062 respite places to provide carers with a break; 125 extra flexible day programs for people cared for at home by older parents; and 791 extra respite places specifically for older parent carers.
   "We’re getting on with the job with delivering improved services and facilities to people with disabilities, their families and their carers," Ms Keneally said.

23 April, 2008
Unreserved praise for Reserve employers
NSW employers have been recognised for their support of the Australian Defence Force Reserves.
   At an award ceremony held onboard HMAS Darwin at Garden Island, a record number of 56 employers were congratulated by the Commonwealth’s Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Support, Mike Kelly MP.
   The event was organised by the NSW Committee of the Defence Reserves Support Council and recognised employers who had supported their Reservist employees with policies that enabled them to serve their country as Reserves.
   The Employer of the Year Award was taken out by Lismore Base Hospital and State Awards were presented to NSW Police Force Hunter Valley Area Command, NSW TAFE Hunter Institute, OOCL (Australia) Pty Ltd, and Diprinzio & Cosetlini Pty Ltd (Broadmeadow).
   Dr Kelly offered his congratulations to the award recipients.
   “Our Reserve forces significantly enhance Defence capability,” he said.
   “Without the generous assistance of employers such as those represented at the Awards... it would not be possible for many Reservists to be released from their full time occupations.”
   Dr Kelly said the awards demonstrated the value of Defence’s relationship with Reservist employers.
   He said awards were presented in the categories of Government, Large Private Enterprise, Medium Private Enterprise and Small Private Enterprise.
   Rear Admiral Graeme Shirtley, Surgeon General for the ADF, presented the Employer of The Year Award, praising the commitment that Lismore Base Hospital had shown to the ADF Reserves.
   Dr Kelly said in order to be eligible for an Employer Support Award, organisations needed to have a supportive leave policy in place and have released their employees for an extended period of Reserve Service.
   In the meantime, the Department of Premier and Cabinet has issued a Circular outlining the dates and leave arrangements for 2008 Reserve Forces Day and parades scheduled for June and July.
   The Circular said Reserves in Canberra, Tamworth, Taree, Parkes and Wagga would hold parades on the 28 and 29 June, while Sydney, Newcastle and Lismore would hold theirs on 5 and 6 of July.
   The Circular said the parades would mark 10 years since the inaugural Reserve Forces Day parade and would acknowledge the 60th Anniversary of the reforming of the Commonwealth Military Forces/Army Reserve and the Royal Australia Air Force Reserve in 1948.
   The Reserve Forces day council was looking for current and former Reservists to attend the parades and the Circular said eligible Public Sector staff intending to take part but rostered to work on the day could apply for the day off.
   It said they could apply for flex leave, recreation leave or extended leave and encouraged Agencies to release them wherever possible.
Further information on parade starting times and meeting places could be found at www.rdf.org.au

23 April, 2008
Water Regulation to make big splash
A draft Regulation encouraging competition in the water industry has been released for public comment.
   The draft Water Industry Competition (General) Regulation 2008 and associated Regulatory Impact Statement have been developed to support the implementation of the Water Industry Competition Act 2006 and facilitate the licensing of private companies that supply water and sewerage services.
   The goal of increasing competition in the metropolitan water market and water recycling were key actions in the Government’s Metropolitan Water Plan and the State Plan.
   According to the Department of Water and Energy, key aspects of the draft Regulation include:

• ensuring new entrants and existing public water utilities faced similar obligations;
• strict licensing rules were enforced to ensure that drinking water met Australian standards, that recycled water was ‘fit for purpose’ and that all services were delivered in a safe, reliable manner with minimal environmental impacts;
• provisions were made to prevent retailers from disconnecting small customers for non-payment of debt and to require the implementation of Government social policies, such as pensioner rebates.

Picture tickets secured
For the fifth year running, the NSW Film and Television Office, Film Victoria and the New Zealand Film Commission have combined to secure places for local film producers at the annual Independent Film Producer market in New York City, the No Borders Co-Production Market.
   Attendance at the Market would provide selected producers with the opportunity to gain finance for their films.
   Australian and New Zealand producers have been invited to apply for the three available places until Monday 28 April.

IPAA finance job
The Institute of Public Administration Australia, NSW has a job vacancy for a full-time Finance and Office Coordinator.
   The position reports to the Executive director of the Institute and is responsible for financial and office management, with duties including payroll, interpreting financial reports and liaises with auditors and a part-time bookkeeper.
   The salary is around $60,000pa and more information is available from and Margie O’Tarpey on 9228 5774 or Emily Anderson at Emily@nsw.ipaa.org.au

Agreement brings payrise
Public Servants in the Australian Capital Territory Government Service are to receive a 4% payrise this month as part of their three-year collective bargaining agreement.
   About 10,000 staff of the ACTGS are covered by the agreement which saw them receive a similar rise in April last year.

Draft plan for river
A draft management plan for the Tumut River has been released for public comment.
   Developed by the Department of Water and Energy, in consultation with the Tumut River Advisory Committee, the plan outlines long term policy and strategies to allow the day to day management of the river occur while maintaining its environmental, social and economic values.
   The draft Plan is n public exhibition and submissions will, be received until Friday, 6 June.

Coastal waste plan open
The $56 million Conjola Regional Sewerage Scheme – one of the largest to be constructed in regional NSW – has been officially opened.
   The project will benefit around 2,000 permanent residents of nine coastal villages in the Shoalhaven City Council area as well as the 6,000 or more tourists who visit during summer.
   The scheme has taken over 10 years to develop and two and a half years to construct and was the result of a partnership between Shoalhaven City Council and the NSW Government.

16 April, 2008
PSA to PS: No gain without payin’
The Public Service Association has opened its campaign for a pay increase for the NSW Public Service, lodging a claim for a 6 per cent rise over the next three years.
   The Government's has offered 3 per cent but this has been rejected.
   According to the PSA, the Government’s true offer was 2.5 per cent plus 0.5 per cent for “trade-offs.”
   “As well, the offer excluded a large slice of our members - e.g. school administrative and support staff, RTA employees, zoo employees,” the Association said.
   “The NSW Industrial Relations Commission has been notified that we will be running an major arbitrated case.”
    The PSA said it had been preparing for the case for months, including collecting evidence of productivity gains.
   “We will present detailed evidence highlighting productivity improvements in a sample of Agencies,” it said.
   “Major case conferences had already been held with and a recent one worked out a schedule for the preparation and lodging of a evidence.”
   The PSA said the Government's Public Sector Wages Policy limited future pay increases to a net cost of 2.5 percent per annum with any increases exceeding that amount to be funded through employee related cost savings and reforms.
   The PSA said that in its efforts to bring about the extra savings, the Government had proposed the workforce accept a reduction in the accrual of sick leave; a requirement for a medical certificate when more than 2 consecutive days are taken as sick leave or more than 5 in a year; positions be filled permanently when the employee takes LWOP for more than a year; the flex leave cut out staff with 8 weeks recreation accrued; no meal allowances on over day journeys; Departments' to decide if they should pay for accommodation and meals; limit special leave for trade union activities to 5 days per year; and replace job evaluation committees with a single person who would conduct all evaluations for the Department.
   “The PSA Executive rejected the offer completely, and we told them we would not talk if any offer did not cover all agencies and members under the current award.”
   Agencies agreed between the parties as a representative sample to demonstrate productivity improvements across the sector are:
   Attorney Generals
   Department of Ageing, disability and Home Care
   Department of Environment and climate change
   Department of Commerce
   Department of Corrective Services
   Department of Education and Training
   Department of Local Government
   Department of Primary Industries
   NSW Police
   Roads and Traffic Authority of New South Wales
   The Rural Fire Service
   Office of the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority
   The PSA said its claim covered all Departments and Agencies covered by the public sector salaries award and the case would be heard from September to 24 and October 14 to 16.
   The PSA will file its evidence by 30 April and the Government by 23 July. Evidence in reply will be lodged by 20 August.

16 April, 2008
Literacy crackdown to write wrongs
The Department of Premier and Cabinet is urging a rewrite of Agency policies to ensure people in the community who suffered from writing difficulties were not discriminated against.
   The Department has issued a Circular saying that Departments and Agencies requiring members of the public to put something in writing may be indirectly discriminating against them if they were unable to comply with those requirements.
   The Circular says the matter arose from a consideration of complaints lodged with the Anti-Discrimination Board and included people who suffered from dyslexia, as an example.
   It said Departments and Agencies should review their disability and customer service policies to make sure that members of the public with writing difficulties were not discriminated against.
   It said the policy reviews should focus on supplying people who had writing difficulties with assistance. It should also address the reasons for responses being required in writing in the first place.
   It said other matters to be taken into account included the reasons for requesting meetings and related procedures; the nature and extent of assistance provided to the public to meet the Agency’s requirements; how it provided advice to customers; and the level of staff training provided which was directed at customer assistance.
   The Circular said it was important for any changes in Agency policies and practices arising from the review to be made known throughout the Agency, and that internal processes for assisting people with writing difficulties needed to be well understood by Agency staff.
   DPC has asked Agencies to provide details of their reviews for monitoring purposes and has designated Trevor Barnes as the contact point.
   More information can be obtained from Mr Barnes on (02) 9228 5584 or by email at trevor.barnes@dpc.nsw.gov.au

16 April, 2008
PS vacancies a work in progress
The skills shortage and ageing workforce are being blamed for an increase in vacancies in the NSW Public Service.
   Figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics have revealed that job vacancies in the NSWPS stood at 5,400 at the end of February, a level unseen for six years.
     The figures have increased from 4900 last November and 3300 in August 2005 when the slide began.
   According to the Assistant General Secretary of the Public Service Association, Steve Turner, the fall in filled positions could be due to a number of factors.
    "It's probably a combination of the low overall level of unemployment, so that it is harder to find people in general; a decline in skill availability; and the large number close to retirement,” Mr Turner was reported in the Sydney Morning Herald as saying.
   “The Government is filling vacancies but people are leaving at a higher rate."
   He said there were some regional offices where the Department of Community Services experienced vacancies as 50 per cent. This was believed to be due to a shortage of people with the right skills.
   A spokesman for Premier, Morris Iemma said the Government was aware of the difficulty but acknowledged the situation but 91.8 per cent of Public Servants employed in June 2005 were still working for their Agency in June 2006
   "The NSW Government continues to review and update a range of policies and practices to improve recruitment processes," the spokesman said.
   According to the SMH, the decline in filled PS positions came at a time the number of job vacancies across the broader NSW community was improving.
   “The rise in public sector job vacancies in February took place against a falling trend overall in NSW, with job vacancies declining to 54,700 from 55,500 in November,” the newspaper said.
   It quoted Opposition Finance spokesman, Mike Baird as saying vacancies in the NSW PS were increasing while those in other States were decreasing.
   “Our-top quality Public Servants are moving to better opportunity interstate,” Mr Baird said.
   “Public Servants are talking with their feet.”

16 April, 2008
PS ticked off in workforce survey
A survey by an employment company has shown that Public Servants across Australia enjoy their working hours and conditions, are continuously on the lookout for another job but don’t particularly like their bosses.
   The study, by internet placement agency SEEK, highlighted mixed feelings among Public Servants when it came to their jobs.
   There was strong support for flexible working hours and family-friendly working hours but more than half the staff surveyed felt unappreciated at work and 28 per cent were unhappy with the quality of overall management.
   SEEK surveyed 5159 jobseekers and found that despite the perceived difficulties in the profession, Public Servants were the workers most likely to plan another decade or more with the same employer. Flexible conditions were the highlights of the job, with one in five Government workers saying they loved that part of their deal.
   The National Secretary of the Community and Public Sector Union which has members in a number of States, Stephen Jones warned that the impact of cuts to the Public Service could result in a loss of talent from the Public Services.
   SEEK sales director Joe Powell said while Government work might be the last bastion of the job-for-life, it had a downside for job placement agencies.
   “The public sector has set the benchmark for flexible working conditions, however, there comes a point where conditions can become so comfortable that it is difficult for staff to move on,” he said

16 April, 2008
PSA takes time out for leave submission
The Public Service Association of NSW’s Women’s Unit is to make a submission to the Productivity Commission’s Inquiry into paid maternity, paternity and parental leave.
   The Unit said it supported the Unions NSW campaign on parental leave that would create an entitlement to paid parental leave for all workers including permanent, temporary and casual workers and contractors, and create portable entitlements like superannuation.
   It said it also backed moves to increase the minimum amount of paid parental leave from zero to six months in Australia.
   The PSA Women’s Unit has called for contributions from PSA members on what they would like included in its submission.
   It said the Productivity Commission Inquiry was eager to hear about people’s personal experiences.
   “The Commission is keen for people to tell us about their experiences of time away from work to have a baby and how this has (or could be) affected by the provision of paid parental leave,” it said.
   In March the PSA Executive passed motions relating to parental leave that included provision for 6 months paid parental leave in the Association’s log of claims when negotiations began on the Crown Employees (Public Service Conditions of Employment) Reviewed Award 2006.
          The Executive has moved to have the parental leave provisions in the changed to allow for the payment of public holidays during periods of paid parental leave.
   To make a contribution to the submission, or for more information, PSA members can contact the Women’s Unit on (02) 9290 1555 or by email at wunit@psa.asn.au

16 April, 2008
Heat turned up on power overhaul
A series of new consumer protection measures, including a $272 million Electricity Safety Net package has been announced by the Premier, Morris Iemma.
   Mr Iemma announced the initiatives as the Government’s response to the Unsworth Consultative Reference Committee report.
   “Today we are announcing initiatives that will help the environment, families and workers,” Mr Iemma said.
   “Our package includes increased utilities rebates for pensioners, carers and recipients of other allowances and stronger protections for workers and the environment.”
   He said the new package would provide increased pensioner energy rebates, indexed to CPI; energy rebates for carers ; introduction of a “no disconnections policy” for small domestic customers; more help for people unable to pay their power bills; and tougher requirements on employers in the power industry to look after their workers.
   He said the new arrangements would be delivered when the Government’s broader energy policies were in place.
   “By accepting the overwhelming majority of the recommendations of the Unsworth
Consultative Reference Committee we are delivering additional certainty, security and protection to families, employees and the environment,” Mr Iemma said.
   He said the Committee had been established to provide an opportunity for representatives from unions, consumer and community groups to consider the Government’s plans for the electricity industry.
   Mr Iemma welcomed the constructive role played by former Premier, Barrie Unsworth and the Committee in finding common ground for enhancing the Government’s package.
   “I have been encouraged by the constructive way the Committee has approached the issues and worked with the Government in the best interests of the community,” Mr Iemma said.
   “These are major steps forward in securing NSW’s energy future.

16 April, 2008
Commissioner moves on parking warning
Police Commissioner, Andrew Scipione, has warned motorists to be careful when leaving their cars parked in public places.
   Newly-released figures from the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research have shown that theft from motor vehicles was the only major crime in NSW to increase in the past 12 months.
   Mr Scipione said BOCSAR’s results had found 16 out of 17 crime categories across the state had decreased or remained stable.
   "There is now a long term trend showing that most crime rates are either reducing or are stable,” Commissioner Scipione said.
   “The figures confirm police are doing their job in protecting the community."
   He said he was concerned about the jump in levels of thefts from motor vehicles, particularly in Sydney, and has advised drivers to hide cash and valuables when leaving their car.
   "You wouldn't leave $500 on the dashboard, so why do some drivers leave their GPS when they get out of the car?” he said.
   "Drivers can take a few simple precautions and save themselves hundreds of dollars by hiding both the devices and the mounting attachments.”
   The Commissioner said drivers should check they had removed keys and locked doors when they leave their car.
    He urged service stations to adopt the pay-before-you-pump policy to stop motorists from using stolen number plates to avoid paying for petrol and said in the future, some Police commands were planning to offer one-way screws to stop number plates from being stolen.
   Commissioner Scipione said the initiatives put in place to lower theft from cars did not mean Police could rest.
   “Police are winning, but we will never take our foot off the pedal when it comes to catching criminals and reducing crime.”
   He said Police welcomed help from the community, and asked the public to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 if they saw anything suspicious.

16 April, 2008
Smartbuy smarter after clever upgrade
NSW Procurement has improved its Smartbuy service by introducing a faster and easier way to search for products and services.
   Using the new Food contract as a guide, the Agency announced that all catalogues are to be redesigned to become much more user-friendly.
   It said it would monitor feedback from users and progressively update all catalogues that were currently structured as contracts, modifying them into the more commonly accepted category models.
   “The introduction of the new Super Contract for Food (Contract Number 801), marks the first example of how product information will now be displayed in Categories,” the Agency said.
   “For example, beverages (including all juices, water etc) will be displayed under the Category Heading of Food Supplier – Beverages, contract number F801B.
   “When you click on the heading, a list of sub categories, such as Water, Spring and Mineral, Juice Fresh, etc which will display products relevant to the sub category.
   It said the new SCCB Contract for Food was live on the Smartbuy site and encouraged its use.
   For further information, or to provide feedback on the new look catalogues, users should contact the NSW Procurement Client Support Centre on 1800 003 985 or by email at nswp_support@commerce.nsw.gov.au

16 April, 2008
Transport hits road with Corporate Plan
The Ministry of Transport has published its five-year Corporate Plan.
   Director-General, Jim Glasson said the plan outlined the Ministry’s key directions for the next five years, based on Government targets in the NSW State Plan as well as the accelerated transport initiatives in the Urban Transport Statement and plans in the Metropolitan Strategy, the State Infrastructure Strategy and the NSW Greenhouse Plan.
   He said the plan captured the major themes for policy development and implementation, placing them in the context of overall Government policy.
   “The Ministry of Transport embraces the challenge of leading, planning and working with partner agencies to deliver a More Effective Transport System,” Mr Glasson said.
   “This will be achieved by conducting integrated transport planning, strengthening relationships with service delivery agencies and increasing public transport capacity to improve transport services.”    
   He said the challenges had been captured in six key result areas with priorities and performance indicators identified to track progress.
   “The Corporate Plan also provides the basis for the development of business plans to best meet our key results.”
   He said the Corporate Plan would be reviewed annually to accommodate achievements and reflect emerging priorities.
   The Plan identified the Ministry’s values as developing a positive culture with clear objectives and good processes that valued people and recognised achievements.
   “We will achieve this by being honest, ethical, and transparent in our work, aiming to deliver equitable service outcomes to the community, treating our stakeholders with respect, and valuing the contribution of our staff and supporting their development,” it says.
   It says the six key result areas would be improved performance across the NSW Rail, Bus and Ferry network; matching equitable and accessible transport to community needs; providing safe, reliable and secure transport services; improving customer service, particularly in respect of information services; better use of resources; and improved services in rural and regional areas.

16 April, 2008
Feds cough up for health taskforce
A National Preventative Health Taskforce has been established to combat the effects of tobacco, alcohol and obesity.
   Federal Health Minister, Nicola Roxon, said the Taskforce would be made up of Australian health experts and produce a National Preventative Health Strategy by June 2009.
   “The Taskforce will provide evidence-based advice to Governments and health providers on preventative health programs and strategies, focusing on the burden of chronic disease currently caused by obesity, tobacco and alcohol,” Ms Roxon said.
   She said the announcement followed the release of a report showing the annual social costs of tobacco, alcohol and illicit drugs had grown to $56.1 billion.
   Ms Roxon said the Commonwealth would be taking immediate action to ensure preventative health measures became a key part of health funding agreements between Commonwealth and State and Territory Governments.
   She said by July 2008, the Taskforce would have provided advice on the framework of Australian Health Care Agreements to be entered between the Commonwealth and States and Territories.
   “The Australian Government is determined to bring a greater focus to prevention in health policy,” Ms Roxon said.
   “The Preventative Health Taskforce will play a crucial role in this task.”
   She said the Taskforce would be chaired by the former CEO of Victoria’s VicHealth, Dr Rob Moodie who was Professor of Global Health at the Nossal Institute at the University of Melbourne.   
   Other Taskforce members would include Professor Mike Daube, Professor Paul Zimmet, Kate Carnell, Dr Lyn Roberts, Shaun Larkin and Professor Leonie Segal.
   Ms Roxon said the Taskforce would consider advice from outside sources including medical, clinical and nursing experts; Government representatives with experience in Indigenous public health, rural and remote public health and community health; and members of the food, alcohol and medicine industries.

16 April, 2008
New seniors’ aid has legal benefits
A Legal Aid program providing new legal benefits for older people and seniors has been launched by the Attorney General, John Hatzistergos.
   Mr Hatzistergos said older people didn’t always know where to turn if they had a legal problem, especially if they couldn’t afford to hire a lawyer.
   “This new program will provide free legal advice, advocacy and community legal education to older people,” Mr Hatzistergos said.
   He said the Older Persons Legal and Education Program would deliver general, community and professional legal education; provide advice, minor assistance and advocacy to older people; and build the capacity of the community and the legal aid sector to respond to the legal needs of older people.
   He said it would concentrate on issues such as housing, consumer law, age discrimination and social security.  
   Mr Hatzistergos said the program was made possible by a $300,000 grant to Legal Aid NSW by the Aged-Care Rights Service, and lawyers from the program would be travelling around the State to conduct advice clinics.
   He said for more information, Sydney seniors could call (02) 9281 3600 and seniors in rural and regional areas could call 1800 424 079.

16 April, 2008
Film Office exposes new funding deal
The Film and Television Office has reviewed its guidelines for the 2008-09 funding round and adopted a new funding application approach.
   “This approach is aimed at reducing unnecessary administrative burdens on screen-based organisations,” the Office said, “many of which depend upon very small operational teams.”
   “It also represents a more planet-friendly process requiring less paper, and reflects the FTO’s commitment to reducing carbon emission pollution into the atmosphere.”
    In previous years the FTO invited organisations to apply only for Organisation funding but the review has resulted in two kinds of applications becoming available - Organisation and Project/Event.
   As such the FTO would now accept applications from NSW-based incorporated/registered and not-for-profit organisations that fulfilled its criteria.
   In a move that focuses on the planet-friendly process, funding applications would be able to be submitted via email rather than solely by paper.
   The FTO program provides grants to screen-based organisations that develop and encourage an innovative environment for the production of digital and analogue screen media.
   It did not fund magazines and books, screen content creation or travel assistance.
   Funding for screen content and travel assistance was available under programs managed by the FTO’s Development and Investment Unit.
   To apply for a grant or for more information, visit www.fto.nsw.gov.au

16 April, 2008
Library funding brought to book
The findings of a review of public library funding in NSW have been released by the Minister for the Arts, Frank Sartor.
   Mr Sartor said the review was commissioned to ensure Government funding was allocated in the most effective way.
   He said he understood how important public libraries were to their local communities and the goal of the review was to enable better access to library services and to support the development of library facilities.
   The review was carried out by former Chair of the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal, Tom Parry and recommended a new State funding distribution arrangement under which Councils would continue to receive the State Government per-capita subsidy, and the balance of funding would be distributed in the form of access and strategic grants.
   The review also recommended measures to reduce ‘red tape’ associated with application and reporting processes for Councils.
   Dr Parry said he had consulted a range of stakeholders including the Local Government and Shires Association and Public Libraries NSW.
   “Our public libraries operate as a cohesive network,” Dr Parry said.
   “The new arrangements are intended to reinforce cooperation and provide greater opportunities for regional and State-wide outcomes.”
   Mr Sartor said the changes, which he planned to adopt, would not affect the total funding pool available.
   “This new formula will maintain budget certainty by ensuring per capita subsidy arrangements stay the same,” he said.
   “It will also encourage innovation and ensure resources are allocated where they will do the most good.”

16 April, 2008
New Reg clamps down on funeral directors
After a number of reviews, the Government has agreed to introduce an information standard for funeral directors.
   It has thrown a draft Funeral Goods and Services Regulation open to public comment.
   The move follows consumer concerns over sales methods used by some funeral directors and difficulties in obtaining a clear idea of costs.
    The Fair Trading Amendment (Funeral Goods and Services) Regulation of 2008 has been prepared to prescribe an information standard for suppliers of funeral goods and services.
   According to the Department of Commerce’s 2006-07 Annual Report, the information standard would require funeral directors to give consumers detailed information about funeral costs.
   “It will ensure that consumers receive clear and easily comparable information to help them make an informed choice at a time when they are distressed and vulnerable,” the report said.
   “It will also promote greater competition and transparency within the industry.”
   The new standard requires funeral directors to give consumers clear information on:
   * the cost of a basic funeral service
   * an itemised list of the likely costs of a planned funeral service; and
   * once the funeral has been completed, a final statement indicating the actual costs incurred. 
   Details of what constitutes a basic funeral service are outlined in the draft Regulation.
   The draft Regulation and a Regulatory Impact Statement have been released for public consultation with comments and submissions welcomed.
   The Office of Fair Trading will accept comments until Friday 16 May, and they may be addressed to fax (02) 9338 8918 or email policy@oft.commerce.nsw.gov.au.
   The Regulatory Impact Statement and draft Fair Trading Amendment can be downloaded from www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au

16 April, 2008
Councils in swim over water saving
Sydney’s Councils have reduced their water use by almost 20 per cent a year since 2003, according to a statement from Sydney Water.
   Sydney Water said through the Every Drop Counts Business Program, Council water saving initiatives and water restrictions had resulted in savings of about 3.2 billion litres of water and had saved ratepayers around $4.3 million a year.
   Sydney Water said the savings made through the program had been achieved by installing water efficient toilets and taps in Council properties; improving water use at leisure centres and recycling storm water and sewage to irrigate local parks.
   A workshop held at Olympic Park recognised the achievements of Councils in water saving initiatives with Rockdale City Council and Hornsby Shire Council recognised for being the first Government organisations to receive a five-star rating for their water saving programs.
   Sydney water said Rockdale City Council had made significant savings by installing dual flush toilets, flow restrictors in taps and waterless urinals.
   “They have also improved maintenance programs, increased their use of rainwater tanks and trained staff to audit and monitor sites.”
   The Authority said the Hornsby Shire Council was also saving water by implementing educational programs and re-thinking its irrigation strategies.
   “(It) is saving 90,000 litres of water a week by reusing water from a local pool for irrigation of parkland.
   “They are also helping the local community save water through an educational program, which included installing rainwater tanks at their community nursery and at 10 local schools.”
   Sydney Water said that under the Every Drop Counts Business Program, other Councils had improved sewer mining technology, recycled wastewater and stormwater, harvested rainwater and reused water from swimming pools to reduce water use.
   It said more than 380 businesses had joined the program since 2001 and had contributed to saving over 36 million litres of water a day at over 2,000 sites.
   The Every Drop Counts Business Program offered free one-on-one partnerships to businesses that used more than 80,000 litres of water a day.

16 April, 2008
Produce producers produce Parly party
Specialty food and wine retailers, restaurateurs and interested parties have been invited to sample foods and wines from the New England North West region at a gala event funded by the Department of Primary Industries and the Department of State and Regional Development.
   The event is to be held at Parliament House, Sydney on 12 May.
    Executive Officer of the Northern Inland Regional Development Board, Don Tydd, said the regional food and wine showcase would include new wines and seasonal produce.
   “The wines will be complemented by the range of quality gourmet foods we produce in the region, from olive oils, smoked trout and lamb to pasta, honey and award-winning coffees just to name a few,” Mr Tydd said.
   He said the event would be hosted by the Northern Inland Regional Development Board with support from the New England North West Regional Tourism Organisation.
   “One highlight of this event will be the formal Sydney launch of the “New England
Australia” Geographical Indication, putting the New England well and truly on the world wine map,”
   Mr Tydd said the gala would include an address from three times Michelin starred chef, Ben Davies, on what was distinctive about the region’s produce, and allow participants the opportunity to meet 30 of the best food and wine suppliers in the region.
   Accomplished wine Judge, James Halliday, said there was no other region with so much to offer as the New England.
   The New England North West region includes Moree, Inverell, Armidale and Tamworth.
   For more information on the event, contact (02) 9338 6665.

16 April, 2008
Court ready for Youth Day
The Supreme Court is to maintain its standard operating hours (9am to 5pm) during the World Youth Day events in Sydney from 14 to 21 July.
   The Court said its sittings would be unaffected by the activities but it would be mindful that adjustments may need to be made in view of traffic disruptions and pressures on the availability of Police witness evidence during the event.

Women’s award launched
The Public Service Association is accepting nominations for the 2008 Jean Arnot Award for work demonstrating a commitment to advancing the causes of women members of the PSA.
   The Award is open to all women members of the PSA and recognises the contribution of Ms Arnot who Chair of the PSA's Women's Auxiliary and awarded the PSA Gold Medal in 1937.
   Selection criteria and nomination forms can be obtained from Chrissie Joannou at the PSA on (02) 9290 1555 or email: cjoannou@psa.asn.au.   Nominations close 18 July.

Uses for Harbor land
The Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority has revealed that many of the proposed land uses for Callan Park have the backing of the local community.
    The Authority said a survey of 400 residents around Callan Park found most favoured retention and expansion of the non-Government precinct (78%), with others supporting the proposed conservation management plan (71%) and 59% in favour of using the increased open space for organised sport.
   It said the survey was part of an extensive community consultation process that had begun in August last year.

Victims get say in Court
New legislation to introduce victim impact statements into the Children’s Court is to be introduced into Parliament in the coming months.
   Attorney General, John Hatzistergos said the statements would allow victims of juvenile crime to confront young offenders in Court He said the system was already in use in the NSW Supreme, District and Local Courts.

Award split two ways
For the third time in history the State Library has named joint winners of the $20,000 National Biography Award.
   Authors Philip Dwyer and Graham Seal took out the award for their works Napoleon, 1769-1799 The Path to Power and These Few Lines: A Convict Story - the lost lives of Myra and William Sykes, respectively.
   The National Biography Award is administered and presented by the State Library on behalf of its benefactors Geoffrey Cains and Michael Crouch.

Hold-ups at Tarcutta
Temporary traffic delays are expected on the Hume Highway at Tarcutta due to blasting for the dual-lane carriageway.
   Road closures are expected to continue until mid 2008 to clear the route for the new highway alignment.
   To find out when traffic disruptions are likely to occur the RTA said motorists could contact their Transport Management Centre on 132 701.

9 April, 2008
Regulation watchdog to untangle red tape
The war on bureaucratic red tape has taken a major step forward with the publication by the Government of the Guide to Better Regulation.
   The Guide is available from the Better Regulation Office’s website at www.betterregulation.nsw.gov.au and will take effect across the NSW PS from 1 June 2008.
   According to a Ministerial Memorandum issued by Premier, Morris Iemma, the Guide is a key document produced to help agencies avoid creating red tape in new regulatory proposals and to reduce existing red tape as legislation is reviewed.
   “It also provides information about the roles of the Minister for Regulatory Reform and the Better Regulation Office,” the memorandum said.
   “The Guide to Better Regulation reinforces many aspects of regulatory development that are already practised by NSW Government agencies. However, some new concepts and processes have been introduced to improve regulatory development.”
   Among the new concepts included in the Guide is a requirement that every new and amended Bill, Regulation or Statutory Instrument must demonstrate to the Minister for Regulatory Reform that it complied with the better regulation principles.
   “If the Minister for Regulatory Reform has concerns about a regulatory proposal, the Minister may ask the Premier to defer consideration of the regulatory proposal until the concern is resolved.”
The Guide also emphasises the need for policymakers to understand the impacts of a regulatory proposal by using research techniques and consultation with stakeholders.
   “New and amended regulations must minimise the costs of compliance for business and administration costs for Government,” the memorandum says.
   “For significant proposals, a Better Regulation Statement must be prepared which identifies and justifies compliance and administrative costs and shows action which has been taken to minimise those costs.”
   The Memorandum says Better Regulation Statements would not be required for such legislation as increasing police powers or regulating the Public Service, or for proposals implementing decisions taken through external processes such as intergovernmental harmonisation processes.
   “It is expected that Better Regulation Statements will be made available to the public.”
   The Memorandum allows a transitional period for proposals submitted between 1 and 30 June 2008.
   More information is available from the Better Regulation Office at the website above or by email at betterregulation@dpc.nsw.gov.au

9 April, 2008
CEO performance is hard act to follow
The performance of Chief Executive Officers is to come under closer scrutiny as the NSW State Plan is implemented.
   Premier, Morris Iemma has outlined changed arrangements for evaluating CEO performance in a Memorandum directed to all Government Ministers.
   According to Mr Iemma, reviewing a Chief Executive Officer’s performance was a key element of the Government’s corporate governance structure.
   “All public sector entities, including State Owned Corporations, should ensure there is regular review of the Chief Executive Officer’s performance,” Mr Iemma said.
   He said, under the State Plan, the Lead Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) were to be given new responsibilities and their performance agreement guidelines and template had been updated to reflect that change.
   “From 2008, Lead CEOs will have their annual performance agreement meeting with the Director General, Department of Premier and Cabinet, who will coordinate feedback from their Minister(s),” the Memorandum says.
   “The Premier will have input into these annual reviews and sign off on their agreement.”    It said Ministers were to maintain an ongoing day-to-day evaluation of CEO performance management on Agency specific issues.
   He said although the guidelines and template applied specifically to Lead CEOs under the State Plan, others were encouraged to use them as a basis for their own annual performance review and agreement with their Minister(s).
   “CEOs of State Owned Corporations may adopt aspects that are relevant but should refer to CEO Contract Guidelines for Government Businesses on requirements for SOC Boards and CEO performance agreements.”
   The Guidelines for CEO performance agreements require that each be updated at least annually.
   More information about the Guidelines and the Memorandum can be obtained from the Department of Premier and Cabinet website, www.dpc.nsw.gov.au

9 April, 2008
OH&S review is a call for the doctor
A national review into Model Occupational Health and Safety Laws has been announced by the Federal Workplace Relations Minister, Julia Gillard.
  Ms Gillard said the Australian Government had made a commitment to work with all the States and Territories to harmonise OHS legislation within the next five years, delivering on a promise to cut bureaucratic red tape, boost business efficiency and provide greater certainty and protections for all workplace parties.
  Ms Gillard said three eminent panel members had been appointed to conduct the national review: Robin Stewart-Crompton who will chair the panel and Barry Sherriff and Stephanie Mayman.
   Ms Gillard said Mr Stewart-Crompton was a former Chief Executive Officer of the National Occupational Health and Safety Commission and had continued to work in the OHS field as a consultant.
  She said Mr Sherriff was the lead partner of Freehills’ OHS law practice and had extensive experience advising on OHS issues with a focus on proactive strategies for compliance and accident prevention.
  Ms Mayman was a Commissioner in the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission and Chairperson of the Occupational Safety and Health Tribunal appointed under Western Australia’s OHS legislation.
  Ms Gillard said the team would review OHS legislation in each State, Territory and Commonwealth jurisdiction for the purpose of making recommendations on the optimal structure and content of a model OHS Act to apply nationally.
  She said the panel would consult with a broad range of stakeholders and submit its final report to the Workplace Relations Ministers’ Council by the end of January 2009.
  The Terms of Reference for the Review were available on the National OHS Review website at www.nationalohsreview.gov.au 

9 April, 2008
Racing amalgamation salutes the judge
An Auditor-General’s report into the 2004 amalgamation of the Greyhound Racing Authority and the Harness Racing Authority has found failings in the process of amalgamation which have still to be resolved, four years later.
   The Auditor, Peter Achterstraat made nine recommendations to help resolve the issue.
   Prompted by a request from the Minister for Gaming and Racing to audit the new body – the Greyhound and Harness Regulatory Authority – the Auditor found that a range of difficulties beset the process from the outset.
    He said the main objectives of the amalgamation were to achieve savings by reducing staff numbers from 63 to 51 and consequently save $800,000 a year, and sell a surplus building to meet the costs of the amalgamation and return a dividend to the racing industries which funded the Authority’s operations.
   “The amalgamation was not project managed efficiently,” the Auditor-General said.
   “There were inherited difficulties which affected the timely achievement of amalgamation objectives.”
   He said these included the needs to deal with high levels of bad debts; continue disciplinary actions against two senior stewards; improve internal reporting, revise operating procedures and address staff morale.
   He said as a result, implementing key objectives had been slow, the costs of amalgamating had increased, stakeholders were dissatisfied and the Authority’s approach to implementation had varied from the Government’s original proposal.
   The Auditor-General reported that at the time the amalgamation was given the go-ahead both the Government and the stakeholders expected the racing industries to receive a return from selling the building and achieve annual savings of $800,000 from staff reductions.
   He accepted that the Authority had achieved salary savings slightly in excess of the $800,000 hoped for but overall, the result was bleak.
   He said instead of receiving a dividend from the building sale, the racing industries received a ‘bill’ for $267,000 for building refurbishment costs that outweighed the sale price and that all the salary savings were swallowed up by compulsory award increases for the remaining staff and the funding of racing integrity initiatives. He said however there was a “small” contribution of $133,000 towards a new IT system.
   “The Authority’s structure is yet to be finalised and integration of activities completed,” the Auditor-General said.
   “We consider that the Authority would have better managed the implementation if it had had a formal amalgamation plan.”
   Responding to the Auditor’s findings, the Chairman of the GHRRA, Stephen Price said the industry had changed significantly in the five years since the amalgamation was first planned and was nowadays focused more firmly on the future than the past
   He said progress had already been made on many of the Auditor’s recommendations but they represented “important guideposts for the future.’

9 April, 2008
Police cop awards for excellence
The contributions of NSW Police Force State Command detectives and staff have been recognised at an award ceremony in Merrylands.
   Twelve detectives and support staff from the Command were recognised for excellence in policing at the Rotary Club of Holroyd’s third annual NSW Police Force State Crime Command Excellence Awards Presentation Dinner.
   The awards were presented in front of a crowd of 70 by Assistant Police Commissioner David Hudson, President of the Rotary Club of Holroyd, Stella Camenzuli, and Mick Lilley from Macquarie Capital.
   Retired Assistant Commissioner Graeme Morgan received the 'Paul Harris Fellow' award, rarely given to people outside the Rotary Club, in appreciation of his contribution to community relations.
    Commander of the State Crime Command, Assistant Commissioner Dave Hudson, said each of the 24 officers nominated for awards were worthy recipients.
   "Each of the officers nominated, and those who were presented with excellence awards, should be congratulated for their contribution to policing and their work to reduce the fear and incidence of crime in New South Wales," Assistant Commissioner Hudson said.
   He said they were role models for other staff at the State Crime Command and the NSW Police Force. 
   "These officers were nominated by their peers and they are obviously held in high regard by their colleagues for their dedication, skill and enthusiasm in their specialist areas of investigation," he said.
   Ms Camenzuli said it had been a privilege to be a part of the award ceremony.
   “This is the essence of Rotary, to be one with the community and to spread goodwill and friendship among the peoples of the world," she said.
   The 12 detectives and support staff were presented with a formal citation and a glass trophy recognising their work.
   The award recipients were:
   Detective Senior Constable Grant Findley of the Asian Crime Squad;
   Detective Sergeant Cathy Rose of the Child Protection and Sex Crimes Squad
   Detective Senior Constable Mandy Hancock of the Drug Squad
   senior Constable Paul King of the Firearms and Regulated Industries Crime Squad
   Detective Senior Constable Nathan Surplice of the Gangs Squad
   Detective Senior Constable Jane Scrivens of the Homicide Squad
   Detective Senior Constable Richard Howe of the Middle Eastern Organised Crime Squad
   Detective Senior Constable Robert Hollows of the Property Crime Squad
   Detective Inspector Chris Olen of the Robbery and Serious Crime Squad  
   Support Staff:
   Elie Mansour of Business Management  
   John Fogarty of the Fraud Squad
   Claire Rickards of Intelligence Coordination

9 April, 2008
Privacy opens up on AGD open day
The Community Open Day hosted by the Attorney General’s Department during Law Week was a success as far as Privacy NSW was concerned.
   Privacy NSW staff set up an information stall in the courtyard of the Parramatta Justice Precinct, and said it gave them the opportunity to meet representatives from Government and non-Government organisations.
    Staff say they met with NSW Health representatives, community groups and individuals interested in privacy rights and privacy law.
   “Some of the key concerns of the visitors to our stall were about health privacy and criminal records,” the Privacy NSW staff said.
   “People seemed to be concerned not only about their own privacy rights but also the privacy of their colleagues and clients in the work place.”
   The staff said they had over 100 visitors to their stall and received good feedback about the Fact Sheets, Guidelines, brochures and promotional materials they handed out.
   “The Open Day was a great opportunity for Privacy NSW to make contact with and disseminate information about Privacy NSW to the broader community,” they said.
   The open day was held during Law week which ran to 5 April.

9 April, 2008
Slip and trip campaign on sure footing
 WorkCover NSW has joined a new national campaign to reduce the number of slip, trip and manual task injuries in hospitals.
   Chief Executive of WorkCover NSW, Jon Blackwell said the campaignwould focus on helping non-clinical workplaces in the health and community services industry to increase awareness of and manage slip, trip and manual task risks.
   He said the industry was a key contributor to the high levels of slip, trip and manual task injuries in Australia.
   “Nationally, 17,400 compensation claims were made by workers in the health and community services industry during 2004–2005,” Mr Blackwell said.
    “The majority of the injuries sustained by these workers were caused by muscular stress due to manual tasks or repetitive movement and falls and trips.”
   He said the Safe Steps - National Hospital Intervention and Compliance Campaign was developed by occupational health and safety authorities and would involve national hospital audits focusing on controlling the identified risks.
   Mr Blackwell said in NSW, slip, trip and manual task injuries in the industry had cost more than $175 million each year.
    “But what is not reflected in these figures are the emotional and physical costs of the pain and suffering faced by those injured at work,” he said.
   The non-clinical workers targeted in the campaign include those performing kitchen, laundrette and clinical sterilisation duties.
   Mr Blackwell said that during the hospital audits, workplace inspectors would provide practical OHS information and the Office of the Australian Safety and Compensation Council would conduct an employee survey to assess the effectiveness of the audit and the OHS information.
   He said the Safe Steps audits would run from April to June with results expected by the end of 2008.
   Further details on the Safe Steps campaign can be obtained from the Heads of Workplace Safety Authorities website www.hwsa.org.au

9 April, 2008
PS paths cross for Youth Day helpers
Staff of the NSW Public Service are being encouraged to volunteer for the upcoming World Youth Day Event in Sydney.
   The World Youth Day Coordination Authority is seeking 600 Public Servants to act as Ambassadors for the event which will run from 15 to 20 July.
   Volunteer duties would include directing human traffic flow, providing event-related information to visitors on events, venues, walking routes and local tourism, and keeping other community members informed of changes to the city.
   Volunteers would receive full pay for time taken off work, for a maximum of five days and leave arrangements were detailed in Department of Premier and Cabinet’s Circular 2008-07.
   WYDCA said they were looking for people from a range of backgrounds with different beliefs and interests to be Ambassadors for Sydney.
   The Authority said being volunteers would provide Public Servants with a special opportunity to meet and work with a diverse range of people from around the world.
   Volunteers would receive a unique event uniform including a waterproof jacket, long- sleeve polo shirt, cap and a backpack, meals at work, public transport, training and a Certificate of Appreciation.
   WYDCA said for further information on volunteering for the Authority, which is a NSW State Government Agency, or to apply online, visit www.wydca.nsw.gov.au

9 April, 2008
Museum photo show develops on net
Sydney’s Powerhouse Museum is the first museum in the world to lodge publicly-held historical photographs on the largest photo website on the internet. 
   The Museum has followed the US Library of Congress – which is the world’s largest photo library and released its first photos in January - by uploading photos for public access on www.flickr.com
   Senior Program Manager at Flickr, George Oates, said, he was thrilled to welcome the Powerhouse Museum to Flickr.
   “They are the first museum to contribute historical photography, joining the US Library of Congress,” Mr Oates said.
   “On a personal note, I'm also chuffed that an Australian institution has come on board so quickly, being an Aussie myself."
   The first images to be transferred online by the Powerhouse were 200 historic back and white images from its Tyrrell Collection, which consists of images of Sydney life in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
   Minister for the Arts, Frank Sartor, said the museums’ initiative showed it was a leader in increasing public access to Australian cultural collections.
“These evocative images of historic Sydney and early Australian life will greatly appeal to people from around the world, as well as Australians,” Mr Sartor said.
   The online photo-sharing initiative known as Flickr Commons was launched by Flickr to make historical photos more accessible to the global community.
   Associate Director Planning, Projects and Exhibitions at the Powerhouse
Museum, Kevin Sumption, said sharing photos on Flickr would enable museums to continue to piece together a richer history, with the help of internet users.
   Manager of Web Services at the Powerhouse Museum, Sebastian Chan, said the online resource would provide the public with many benefits.
    “Since the Tyrrell images are over 100 years old and out of copyright, the public can freely use them,” Mr Chan said.
   “Educators and students can use the images in classrooms; artists and designers can rework images; and historians and photographers can learn from them.
   He said previously, the Tyrell Collection had only been available on the Powerhouse Museum website.
   The Powerhouse Museum is to release photos onto the Flickr website regularly.
   The photos can be seen at www.flickr.com/commons

9 April, 2008
Opposition dips toes in clean coast plan
A joint campaign to clean up Sydney’s coasts has been launched by Federal and State Oppositions parties.
   Federal and State Shadow Environment Ministers, Greg Hunt and Pru Goward, said it was time to clean up Australia’s coasts and to investigate water recycling options.
   “Our goal is simple, to work with all political parties and the community to clean up our coasts and recycle 100% of our water by 2020,” Ms Goward said.
   Mr Hunt and Ms Goward said Governments had to stop wasting water and polluting the coasts.
   “Every year almost 400 billion litres of recyclable sewage, much of it barely treated to primary standard, is dumped off Sydney’s magnificent coasts, rather than recycled for industry or farming,” Ms Goward said.
   She said almost 50 billion litres of primary treated sewage a year was dumped off Bondi Beach, over 120 billion litres off Manly and over 160 billion litres off Malabar.
   “The dumping of this treated sewage off our coasts is a nineteenth century practice in the 21st century,” she said.
   “Perhaps most disconcertingly, two billion litres of untreated raw sewage is dumped straight into Sydney’s coastal waters every year.”
   Mr Hunt said a deadline was needed for ending ocean outfall, cleaning up Australian coasts and water recycling.
   “The partnership between the New South Wales and Federal Oppositions is the first of a series around Australia,” he said.
   “The Federal Opposition will work with State Oppositions on a vision of total recycling of Australia’s 1,800 billion litres of waste water and coastal pollution.”
   Mr Hunt and Ms Goward said Australia’s water use needed to be brought up to the standards of the 21st century.
   “It’s time we cleaned up our coasts and undertook a revolution in recycling our waste water for industry and agriculture,” they said.

9 April, 2008
Fire Commissioner fires off warning
NSW Fire Brigades has warned older people to take more care with fire risks in the home.
   Commissioner Greg Mullins said statistics showed that seniors over 65 were more likely to be killed or injured in a house fire than any other group.
   Commissioner Mullins chose Seniors Week to report that during 2006/07 nearly a third of all victims in fatal residential fires were seniors.
   “The 65 years and over age group represents over 31 per cent of all fire death victims," Commissioner Mullins said.
   "It is important for everyone, especially the elderly, to have smoke alarms installed in their home to give them an early warning, and also a home escape plan so they can get out quickly and safely if there is a fire."
   He said a major risk to the elderly was complacency.
   “The majority of residential fires begin in the kitchen and are often as a result of cooking being left unattended on the stove.”
    Commissioner Mullins said the other common causes of fire were mechanical failure and appliances accidentally being turned on or not switched off at the power-point.
   “It's important for everybody to start taking simple safety steps now to improve safety measures in the home," he said.
   "I urge people to ensure that they have smoke alarms installed.”
   He said if older people had difficulty hearing they could install special smoke alarms which had a flashing strobe light and vibrating pad that could be placed under a pillow in bed.
   He said seniors interested in more information about fire safety tips, or NSWFB's Smoke Alarm Battery Replacement for the Elderly (SABRE) initiative, could visit www.fire.nsw.gov.au or contact their local fire station.

9 April, 2008
Past masters urged to plan for future
The Minister for Ageing, Kristina Keneally, has launched an information guide to help people plan their future should they lose the ability to make their own decisions.
   Ms Keneally said the Guide Your Future Starts Now was an important publication that would help people plan ahead and take control of their financial, health, medical or lifestyle choices for the future.
   “Your Future Starts Now will help people get the medical care, guardianship and Power of Attorney arrangements they want if they can’t make the decision at a crucial time,” Ms Keneally said.
    She said the package, which was produced by the Benevolent Society, was aimed at people over 50.
   Ms Keneally said it was important for people to discuss their future wishes with family members sooner rather than later.
   “This is about making sure people can take control of their own future, and reducing the chance of a family member trying to guess what you would want,” she said.
   She said The Benevolent Society was helping people make informed choices in relation to legal, health, financial and community services.
   “Thanks to their good work, there is now a way to protect your interests in the future and you should start now because Your Future Starts Now,” Ms Keneally said.
   She said copies of the guide were available from www.bensoc.org.au or by calling (02) 9339 8000.

9 April, 2008
Planning Bill comes off drawing board
A draft exposure Bill has been released summarising planned changes designed to reinvigorate the NSW planning system.
   The Bill follows circulation of the discussion paper, Improving the NSW Planning System, which was put on public exhibition in late 2007 and received 538 submissions.
   Planning Minister Frank Sartor said the Bill was the first legislative step towards improving the system, and included setting up an independent commission to determine proposals, tougher penalties for rogue accredited certifiers and new anti-corruption measures.
   “This is an important step towards creating a transparent, modern planning system,” Mr Sartor said.     He said many of the key reforms outlined in the discussion paper were reflected in the Bill including the establishment of a Planning Assessment Commission of independent experts; new Joint Regional Planning Panels to determine regionally-significant proposals; expanding the Building Professionals Board’s powers; lifting maximum fines from $11,000 to $110,000; and reducing legal costs by introducing arbitrators and other non-lawyer reviews of planning decisions.
   Mr Sartor said after feedback from local Councils and the Independent Commission Against Corruption, the Exposure Bill supported additional review rights for objectors.
    “As part of the reforms, community members will be able to challenge a new category of development to be known as ‘public interest development’,” he said.
    “This proposal is a powerful anti-corruption measure which will provide far greater community objector rights to challenge inappropriate development.”
   Mr Sartor said the Bill would create a more accountable system for levying and delivering community infrastructure.
    “A new mechanism has been developed allowing Councils to gain approval to levy for infrastructure outside this category – if it can be justified according to strict tests.
    “It will also allow the Government to ensure that infrastructure which is paid for by new homebuyers is actually delivered to communities.”
   He said key provisions in the Bill would be supported through extra regulation and guidelines which were yet to be finalised.
   Mr Sartor said the Bill would be available for comment until 24 April and could be accessed at www.planning.nsw.gov.au

9 April, 2008
Carbon plan puts heat on clean coal
Clean coal technology was set to be important for the future of NSW according to the Minister for Mineral Resources, Ian Macdonald.
   Mr Macdonald made the claim after the launch of Australia’s first commercial scale demonstration of carbon dioxide geo-sequestration in Victoria.
   He said the demonstration was an important milestone for clean coal technology development.
   "This vital technology will help reduce emissions from coal fired power stations both in Australia and overseas," Mr Macdonald said.
   He said the Government was committed to reaching an interim target of Year 2000 greenhouse gas emission levels by 2025 and a long term target of a 60 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
   Mr Macdonald said the NSW Government had recently set up a Clean Energy Fund to support renewable energy and clean coal research.
    “In the last year alone we have invested more than $420,000 on projects which specifically assist in clean coal research,” he said.
   "The Government is also working with industry to establish a NSW Clean Coal Council, reporting to Parliament to help drive reform measures even further.”
   He said a $5 million pilot carbon capture plant was being developed on the NSW Central Coast, through a joint initiative by Delta Electricity and the CSIRO and a Post Combustion Capture plant was expected to open by the middle of the year to capture greenhouse gas emissions from the Munmorah Power Station, using ammonia absorption technology.
   "This will be the first time such technology, which can be used on new or existing power stations, will be seen in action in Australia,” Mr Macdonald said.
   He said the facility would undertake a range of trials to determine whether the technology could be adapted to NSW coal power station conditions, capturing up to 5,000 tonnes of CO2 a year.
   "This project, in conjunction with the search for carbon geo-sequestration sites by the NSW Department of Primary Industries should provide the base for a $150 million demonstration scale carbon capture and storage project in NSW by 2013,” he said.
   Mr Macdonald said prediction studies undertaken by the DPI indicated NSW had the potential for CO2 storage.

9 April, 2008
Zoo goes with flow to save water
Sydney Water and Taronga Zoo have joined forces to promote water conservation this month.
   Sydney Water has launched the eighth annual Sydney Water Month which will be held through April at Taronga Zoo.
   Managing Director of Sydney Water, Kerry Schott said Sydney Water Month was about educating visitors on how to save water.
   “Sydney Water staff will be running interactive educational activities, which are a fun way for families to learn about water supply and how they can save water at home,” Dr Schott said.
   She said there would be prizes for children who participated in and completed the activities.
   “Sydney Water staff will also be giving out free Do-It-Yourself water saving kits to Sydney Water customers, which can save the average household 16,000 litres of water a year.”
   She said the Do-It-Yourself kits could help reduce the average household’s water and energy bills by up to $50 a year.
   She said Sydney Water would be running activities and giving out water saving kits every weekend during April and every day during the April school holidays (12 to 27 April).
   She said Sydney Water had supported Taronga Zoo for 18 years and had helped to develop an onsite wastewater treatment and recycling system.
   Dr Schott said Sydney Water also supported the educational sustainable house in the Backyard to Bush area.

9 April, 2008
Rocks rocks as kids’ dig site
Children are to be given the opportunity to discover the archaeological heritage of The Rocks these school holidays as a part of a joint Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority and Children’s Discovery Museum initiative.
   Kids from four to 12 will be able to take part in the interactive learning program, Kids’ Dig, at The Rocks Discovery Museum from 14 to 24 April.
   During the one hour session, budding archaeologists would be able to unearth a variety of genuine artefacts found in The Rocks from last century including bones, pottery and other gadgets.
   Sydney Learning Adventures guides would be on hand to assist the junior archaeologists in their dig, to ensure every child had a fun and educational journey.
   The children are invited to wear specially designed archaeologist uniforms and use replica tools to carefully dig up finds from years past.
   The Rocks Discovery Museum was established as home to a unique collection of images and artefacts found in The Rocks and takes visitors on an interactive journey that tells the fascinating stories of Sydney’s birthplace.
   Kids’ Dig was developed by the Children’s Discovery Museum Limited which is a not for profit organisation staffed by volunteers.
   Kid’s Dig will cost $10 per child and take place on the top floor of The Rocks Discovery Museum at 10am, 11:30am, and 1:30pm.
   For more information or to make a booking visit www.therocksdiscoverymuseum.com or call 1800 067 676.

9 April, 2008
Language allowance eased
Eligibility for payment under the Community Language Allowance Scheme has been eased with the allowance now payable to staff recognised under the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters, as opposed to being accredited by the Authority as was previously the case.
   According to the DPC Circular covering the change, recognition is in a separate category from NAATI accreditation and is granted only in languages for which NAATI does not test and has no specification of the level of proficiency.
   The Crown Employees Award and Personnel Handbook have been amended to reflect the changes.

Uni staff to vote on pay
 University General Staff are to be asked to vote on a national industrial campaign in support of a nine per cent per annum payrise.
   Unions say the claim would also seek to re-instate conditions removed by the previous Federal Government.
   Up to 40,000 general and non-academic staff at Universities throughout Australia will vote on the proposal.

Gardens host art lessons
Sydney’s Botanical Gardens are to host art lessons during autumn
   The Gardens’ award-winning Botanical Illustration tutors will be holding a range of courses, building on a tradition that began with the establishment of the Herbarium in 1901.
   More information is available from the Gardens on (02) 9231 8134.
 
FTO ushers in films
Investment decisions by the New South Wales Film and Television Office have kick started more than $23 million worth of film and television production in NSW.
   A new feature film by director Shirley Barrett and producer Marion Macgowan is in the wings as well as the second series of TV shows East West 101 and East of Everything and five documentaries, including a new one from the maker of Rats in the Ranks and First Contact, Bob Connolly
   Linda Tizard, from FTO said for every dollar invested by the FTO, more than $20 would be spent in the community.

Gallery accepts gift
The Art Gallery of NSW has accepted the “most extraordinary” gift of works of art ever made to an Australian public gallery, in the form of the John Kaldor Collection.
   Valued at over $35 million, the collection was amassed over 50 years and is said to be the most important collection of late 20th century avant-garde art in Australia.
   The Minister for the Arts, Frank Sartor, President of the Board of Trustees, Steven Lowy, and Director of the Gallery, Edmund Capon, have met with John Kaldor and his family to officially thank him for his gift.
   
Park playground upgrade
The Centennial Park and Moore Park Trust has begun stage two of the Queens Park Playground upgrade.
   The $170,000 upgrade is expected to include an increased safe play area, equipment upgrades, shade structures and landscaping.
   Park visitors are encouraged to stay away from the worksite until its expected completion in May.

Deal is good Korea move
The NSW Government has signed a technology agreement with the South Korean province of Gangwon to lead to increased investment and jobs for NSW.
   The NSW-Gangwon Technology Collaboration Agreement will make it easier for Australian and South Korean businesses to work together on projects involving medical devices, information and communications technology, advanced materials and biotechnology.
   The agreement was signed by the Minister for Science and Medical Research, Verity Firth and the Director General of the Gangwon Ministry of Innovation and Economy, Dr Sang-pyo Kim.

2 April, 2008
Property takeover breaks new ground
Departments and Agencies are to lose control of their buildings and offices on 1 July when ownership of all State-owned Government accommodation is to be transferred to the State Property Authority.
   Premier, Morris Iemma, has issued a Ministerial Memorandum setting out the new policy framework for office accommodation, which establishes 15 operating principles for its future management and six guiding principles.
   Under the new scheme, ownership of all Government-owned accommodation, other than that of State-owned corporations, is to be vested in the SPA and Departments and Agencies are to rent it back under Memorandums of Understanding.
    They will not be compensated for losing ownership of their buildings but rental payments and other costs will be included in their Budget allocation.
   Under the new framework, the SPA will assume responsibility for the management of all Government leased office accommodation and will be the negotiating Agency for all lease renewals and new leases.
   “No General Government Sector Agency will approach the market to acquire property assets, whether by lease or ownership, other than through the State Property Authority,” the principles say.
   “Agencies will pay a management fee to the Authority in addition to the rent payable.”
   The principles also warn Agencies failing to execute an MoU within a reasonable time that they could lose their negotiating rights for a fair rent.
   “If an Agency fails to execute a Memorandum within a reasonable time, the Authority, subject to Treasury approval, may deem its execution and the Memorandum will be binding on the Agency.”
   In addition all Government Agencies are required to immediately advise the Authority of any vacant, underutilised or no longer wanted office space or other property.
   “Government Agencies are to actively pursue opportunities to share common resources or services,” the principles say.
   The State Property Authority was established in 2006 to improve operational efficiencies in the use of Government properties and to act as the Government’s real estate services provider.

2 April, 2008
Auditor finds DPP has case to answer
The Auditor-General has expressed concerns at the efficiency of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions claiming that repeated reviews over 10 years had failed to improve management practices which were in such a state he could not judge if the office was efficient or not.
   The Auditor, Peter Achterstraat made 16 recommendations for improvement.
   According to the audit report, the ODPP was required to do complex and demanding work and was affected by factors beyond its control but, like other PS Agencies, had an obligation to be accountable.
  “The ODPP’s independence does not remove the need for it to manage public resources appropriately, to be accountable for its performance and deliver value for money,” the Auditor said.
   “It could not, however, provide sufficient evidence for us to reach a conclusion on its efficiency.”
   The Auditor said despite adverse findings from past audits, some management practices remained of concern.
   “The ODPP still does not have good information on the costs of its services and activities. Such information is essential for both ensuring and demonstrating efficiency.”
   He understood that the ODPP was reluctant to change its methods, but said there was an “apparent incapacity to keep pace with reforms to the public sector and legal practice management and accountability.”
   The audit found that the ODPP did not set service or efficiency targets, and did not adequately compare its performance over time to others.
   “The efficiency indicators the ODPP has been using are not yet sufficiently relevant and appropriate,” the Auditor said.
   He said the caseload for the ODPP fell over the five years to 2007 but in the same time staff numbers and funding had increased.
   “For example, the number of committals the ODPP received from the NSW police fell by about one-third. Over the same period its budget increased by more than 40 per cent and its staff numbers by 10 per cent.
   “The ODPP advised that the fall in case and trial load was more than offset by increases in the work required on each matter.”
   The Auditor said, however, that the absence of supporting management information meant he could not determine if those claims were right or wrong.
   Among his recommendations, the Auditor suggested a senior, professional manager be appointed to the ODPP with the task of ensuring wise spending, introducing better management and improving measurement and reporting.
   While agreeing with most of the Auditor-General’s recommendations, the ODPP did not accept this proposal.

2 April, 2008
Culture review no pain in the arts
An independent review into the NSW Cultural Grants Program has won the support of Arts Minister, Frank sartor.
   The review was conducted by the Chair of the Sydney Writers’ Festival, Sandra Yates and the former Chair of the NSW Heritage Council, Michael Collins
   Mr Sartor said it was commissioned to ensure the NSW arts community was receiving effective Government support.
    “The NSW Government is committed to supporting and developing the State’s arts and cultural sector,” Mr Sartor said.
   “The cultural grants program is a key plank in our plan to deliver that support and it is vital the program continues to work effectively.”
   He said the review examined such issues as existing structures and recent national trends, and it took feedback from industry groups.
   “The recommendations are aimed at making the program more strategic and, while some aspects will need to be investigated further, the report has my overall support.”
   Mr Sartor said key recommendations to come out of the review included:
   • Developing a strategic framework;
   • Streamlining administrative elements; and
   • Reforming the program and investigating the creation of four funding categories.
   He said implementation of a number of recommendations that would simplify grant applications and streamline processing would begin immediately.
    He said total funding available under the Cultural Grants Program remained the same but Ms Yates and the Chair of the Arts Advisory Council, Professor David Throsby would join an Implementation Group to oversee the changes.
   “There is so much potential to be realised by freeing up both time and resources in Arts
NSW,” Ms Yates said.
   “Greater transparency and a clear policy framework will enable arts companies to plan with more confidence.”
   Professor Throsby said strengthening the program’s strategic framework was key to ensuring its effectiveness.

2 April, 2008
Employment stats are a job lot
The number of jobs in NSW increased by 101,400 over the past year, aided by projects secured by the Department of State and Regional Development worth $2.7 billion, according to data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
   In 2006-07, DSRD secured investment projects for the Sydney metropolitan area expected to employ 2,312 people and others for regional Centres to give work to 4,125.
    According to the ABS data, employment growth in NSW was up 3.1 percent, with additional jobs created in sectors including transport and storage, health and community services and manufacturing.
   The highest levels of job growth were recorded in transport and storage, up 14.2 per cent; retail trade, 7.7 per cent; health and community services, 5.7 per cent; manufacturing, 5.5 per cent; construction, 4.8 per cent and education, 4.8 per cent.
   The Bureau said NSW unemployment reached a 30 year low of 4.2 per cent during the period, with an extra 18,000 jobs created last month alone, more than any other State.
   The ABS said total employment in NSW was 3.416 million.

2 April, 2008
Feds bite ballot on electoral reform
A green paper to explore potential reforms to Australia’s electoral system has been foreshadowed by the Commonwealth.
   Federal Special Minister of State, Senator John Faulkner said his Government already planned to introduce legislation to fix problems with political donations but would also “kick-start” a green paper process that would include all the States and Territories.
   Senator Faulkner said the project would reform and modernise electoral processes.
   He said while reforms to the donation regime were a priority because they needed to be in place an operating by the start of the next financial year, the Electoral Reform Green Paper would be released in two parts.
    The first part would look at disclosure, funding and expenditure issues and the second would examine a broader range of options aimed at strengthening other areas of the electoral law.
   He expected Part One to be released for discussion in July 2008 and Part Two, in October 2008.
   “The Prime Minister is writing to the Premiers and Chief Ministers to seek their cooperation in progressing electoral reforms and asking them to nominate a relevant Minister to work with the Commonwealth on the green paper process,” Senator Faulkner said.
   “The Government will also ask the Parliamentary Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters to consider the green paper, and expects to work closely with JSCEM as the process of electoral reform moves ahead.”
   Senator Faulkner said the measures would lead to more transparency and openness in the electoral system and improve mechanisms to ensure voters could effectively enrol and vote.

2 April, 2008
Public hearings tap into water enquiry
A series of public hearings is to be held throughout New South Wales this month as part of the Inquiry into Country Water Utilities.
    Water Minister, Nathan Rees said the Inquiry aimed at identifying the most effective arrangements for the long term sustainable provision of town water supply and sewerage services in country NSW.
   He said the Government was committed to drought proofing regional centres, country towns and rural villages and the public hearings would provide a venue for local communities, Councils, businesses, interest groups and individuals to be a part of the process.
   “Local communities will be the drivers of the Inquiry and its outcomes,” Mr Rees said.
   He said the Government wanted the people who deliver the services and those who utilise them to come up with the models that would provide the best results in terms of safety and security of water supplies.
   The Country Water Utilities Inquiry is being headed by former NSW Deputy Premier Ian Armstrong and the former head of the NSW Premier’s Department, Dr Col Gellatly.
   Mr Rees said it would identify the most appropriate institutional and regulatory arrangements for the provision of water supply and sewerage to rural NSW, ensuring those services were efficient, reliable, affordable and safe.
   “The States’ 107 local water utilities are facing growing challenges posed by drought, climate change, environmental water allocations, demographic shifts, technological advances and skills shortages,” Mr Rees said.
   “Organisations and individuals are invited to make presentations to the Inquiry at any of the 16 public hearings, and people are urged to register their interest by lodging a submission.”
   He said submissions needed to be registered prior to a hearing to be heard on the day and registrations could be made at www.dwe.nsw.gov.au or by phone to the Department of Water and Energy on (02) 8281 7319.
   Mr Rees urged members of the community with an interest in the delivery of water services to read the discussion paper and register to provide their input.
   Written submission from people not wanting to make a presentation at a public hearing, were also encouraged.
    Submissions close on Wednesday 30 April 2008.
The schedule of hearings for April is:
Bourke Wednesday, 9th; Dubbo Thursday 10th; Broken Hill Friday 11th; Orange Monday 14th’; Cowra Tuesday 15th; Forbes Tuesday 22th; Cooma Thursday 24th; Albury Monday 28th and
Wagga Wagga Tuesday 29th.
   The dates and times of meetings in May can be obtained from the Department.

2 April, 2008
Bail Magistrate on good wicket
The first-ever Aboriginal Bail Justice has been appointed in Kempsey.
   Talia Condie has made history by being appointed to the post which will allow her to determine bail matters when a Magistrate is unavailable.
   She will sit at both Kempsey and Macksville Courthouses.
   The registrar at Kempsey Courthouse, Greg Hall, congratulated Ms Condie on her appointment saying she was well-respected in the Courts and would be an excellent role model in the Aboriginal community.
   “Ms Condie has worked hard to break down barriers between Aboriginal people and the justice system,” Mr Hall said.   
   “She has also been involved in community-based programs to reduce domestic violence.”
   He said she had worked in Courts in Sydney and on the North Coast for almost a decade and in her time as an Aboriginal Client Service Specialist, Ms Condie had had a close association with bail Courts.
   “Part of my ACSS role has been to ensure that Aboriginal defendants understand the outcomes of bail hearings and are aware of any conditions imposed upon them,” Ms Condie said.
   She said the increasing number of Aboriginal staff in NSW courts could enhance cooperation between Indigenous communities and the justice system.
   "We want to live in a harmonious society just as much as any other Australians,: she said.
   “The laws of the Courts, while not traditional Aboriginal laws, apply to our people and we must abide by them.”
   She said increasing the presence of Aboriginal staff in the Courts would help build respect for the justice system within the Indigenous community.
   Eleven Aboriginal Client Service Specialists had completed a Bail Justice training program in NSW last year, Ms Condie being the first of the group to preside over a bail Court.
   Coordinator of the ACSS program, Stan Jarrett said enabling suitably qualified Aboriginal people to determine bail could enhance the effectiveness of the justice system.
   “Aboriginal defendants are over-represented in our courts and it is important that those entitled to bail are given culturally appropriate conditions,” Mr Jarrett said.
   “Aboriginal Bail Justices will apply the law in the same way as any other authorised justice of the court, but their cultural knowledge will help inform the bail conditions they set for Indigenous defendants,” he said.

2 April, 2008
RTA gives traffic snarl green light
The Roads and Traffic Authority has advised Sydney motorists to leave their cars at home during World Youth Day activities and to take public transport when travelling into the city.
   The Authority expected major traffic delays.
   “It will be second only to the Olympics in its scale and complexity as a traffic management event,” the RTA said in a statement.
   It said special traffic arrangements would be put in place to provide for the large number of visitors.
   “There will be changes to the road network to not only help motorists navigate their way around the events but to also cater for the large crowds expected,” the RTA said.
   The Ministry of Transport said additional public transport services would be scheduled and some service changes made.
   “Most WYD08 events do not start until after morning peak hour and finish after the evening peak hour,” the Ministry said.
   “Pilgrims will be asked to travel outside peak hours.”
   The RTA said World Youth Day 2008 was a week long event to be held in Sydney from 14 to 20 July.
   It said Sydney Harbour Bridge would be closed on 19 July for a pilgrimage walk expected to attract 180,000 walkers and 225,000 youths from Australia and overseas were expected to attend in total.  
   The event was being organised by the Catholic Church.
   The Church planned to finish the week with a Mass celebrated by Pope Benedict XVI at Randwick Racecourse on Sunday 20 July.
   This would be the Pope’s first visit to Australia.
   More information about the event, and its effects on the community, can be found on the NSW Government's World Youth Day Coordination Authority website at www.wydca.nsw.gov.au  

2 April, 2008
School reform is on steep learning curve
The Federal Government’s education revolution has taken a step forward with the recent meeting of the Council of Australian Governments agreeing to develop a new schools reform plan for the 21st century.
   Commonwealth Minister for Education, Employment and Workplace Relations Julia Gillard said the reforms would target disadvantaged school communities, improved teacher quality, greater accountabilities and boosting parental engagement.
   She said it was a major plank in an historic COAG agreement “which outlines a productivity and participation agenda that spans early childhood to adulthood.
   “The agenda will be outcomes-focused, transparent and reward improved performance. It will underpin the creation of a modern, productive and inclusive Australia,” Ms Gillard said.
   She said, at the centre of the schools reform plan was a National Partnership payment from the Commonwealth to State and Territory Governments for the delivery of better education outcomes from disadvantaged school communities.
   She said the Governments would work together to identify disadvantaged school communities which would receive well-targeted and integrated support.
   New targets were to be written into the Specific Purpose Payments to be negotiated with State and Territory Governments this year. Ms Gillard said the NP payment would be based on the outcomes achieved from those disadvantaged schools.
   In addition, COAG has agreed to at least halve the gap for Indigenous students in Year 12 or equivalent attainment rates by 2020.
   “This is about giving every child the best possible chance in life and ensuring that we have a productive economy,” Ms Gillard said.
   She said the COAG Working Group on the Productivity Agenda would work closely with the Ministerial Council on Education, Employment, Training and Youth Affairs and the Catholic and Independent schools sectors to develop the next step in the Government’s Education Revolution.

2 April, 2008
RailCorp program has graduates on board
RailCorp has invited graduates to join its ranks, promising an exciting future and jobs that impact on thousands of people’s lives every day.
   In its on-line call for graduate applicants, the Corporation offers a graduate program that includes individual training and development in areas as diverse as engineering, business, humanities and ICT.       “We provide an essential service to the State of NSW and right now we offer unparalleled opportunities for Graduates to gain life-long skills and career prospects within the rail industry!” the Corporation says.
   “RailCorp is embarking on a new era in passenger rail services in NSW. We invite you to come onboard.”
   It says it has openings for “positive and determined graduates” to play important roles in ensuring that RailCorp was at the forefront of the industry.
   “You will experience working in a large and complex transport corporation and gain knowledge and experience at a fast and constant pace.”
   It says graduates are given the opportunity to develop through:
   • customised career development plans for the duration of the program;
   • exposure to business groups to gain a holistic understanding of RailCorp;
   • on-the-job training and coaching; and
   • mentoring by experienced managers and colleagues.
   Applications close at lunchtime on Friday, 2 May 2008 and more information is available from www.railcorp.info/careers

2 April, 2008
Abseiling paramedics drop in on Minister
The NSW Ambulance Service’s Special Casualty Access Team (or SCAT) have staged a rescue training exercise to show off their skills to Health Minister, Reba Meagher.
   The team of specialist paramedics went through their paces at Alfords Point, practising a rescue down a cliff face, a highly specialised skill frequently used to help lost or injured bushwalkers.
   Ms Meagher said that that was just one of the team’s skills with others including roping, navigation and bushcraft.
   She said the SCAT paramedics provided a vital rescue service to people injured during outdoor activities.
   “The need for SCAT paramedics is increasing,” Ms Meagher said. “In 2004, SCAT officers responded to 52 incidents, last year that number rose to 158.”
   She said the SCAT team was routinely called together on a needs basis with 18 of the State’s 57 SCAT trained officers attached to the Ambulance Medical Retrieval Unit, performing rescue work on ambulance helicopters.
   “The NSW SCAT paramedics have also performed rescue operations both interstate and internationally at places including the Beaconsfield Mine Disaster, Victorian Bushfires, the
Java Earthquake and at Banda Aceh following the Asian Tsunami,” Ms Meagher said.
   She said they were being called on to recover and assist people with increasing frequency as the popularity of adventure sports such as abseiling, canyoning and bushwalking in the mountains increases.
   Ms Meagher said the team was dispersed about the State with 22 in Sydney, 7 in the Newcastle area, 7 on the North Coast/MidNorth Coast, 5 on the Central Coast, 6 in the Hunter and 5 in the Illawarra.
   She said SCAT trained officers received an additional allowance and were assessed on the exercise they staged.

2 April, 2008
Waste water not wasted at Institute
An 8.5km pipeline from the West Camden Sewage Treatment Plant to Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute is delivering around a million litres a day of recycled water to be used for irrigation.
   The $4 million project has seen over 140 million litres delivered to the Institute so far with it building a dam and installing a pump and irrigation system to distribute the water around the property.
   Once fully operational the scheme could potentially provide up to five million litres of water each day for irrigation.
   According to the Institute, the environmental benefits of the recycling scheme are two-fold - it reduces the volume of wastewater and nutrients discharged into the Hawkesbury-Nepean River and also cuts down the amount of water taken from the river for irrigation.
   Sydney water said Greater Sydney currently recycled 2 billion litres of water a year, a figure set to rise to 70 billion, or 11 per cent of Sydney’s water needs, by 2015.
   “Sydney Water favours recycling schemes that are good for the environment, can improve local amenities and save precious drinking water, and this project is a good example of that,” the State-owned Corporation said.
   It said the recycled water project was part of a $50 million upgrade for the West Camden Sewage Treatment Plant designed to help improve water quality in the Hawkesbury-Nepean River, while meeting the needs of the growing Camden population.
   It said the upgrade was expected to more than double the plant’s treatment capacity, from about 11 million litres of wastewater each day to 23 million litres. It would be complete in early 2009.

2 April, 2008
AGs lift bans on suppression orders
Attorneys-General from around the nation have agreed to a call for greater harmonisation of suppression orders.
   At the recent Standing Committee of Attorneys-General they asked their officers to look at the current use of suppression orders and how a national system could be developed to operate them, or at least to record which orders were active.
     The call was led by Victorian Attorney-General, Rob Hulls who said a report commissioned by the media coalition, “Australia’s Right to Know”, last year noted a lack of uniformity and clear guidelines on access to court documents and information, including suppression orders. He said it found journalists reported different approaches to rules of access among different levels of Courts and between jurisdictions.
   Mr Hulls said a national system for recording active suppression orders and for making them available to the media could reduce the risk of journalists breaching suppression orders unknowingly.
   “Suppression orders are needed in certain cases and in Victoria have been crucial in relation to the gangland murder trials,” Mr Hulls said.
   “But suppression orders and information about them can be hard to access, particularly for the national media and in an era when so much is published on the internet.
   “That is why we need a one-stop shop where people can ascertain details of suppression orders.”
   In 2005, the Press Council of Australia also recommended a uniform system for recording and accessing suppression orders.
   In Victoria, the Supreme Court has published a guide for journalists covering news in the Courts to assist them with their work.
   Mr Hulls said Federal Labor picked up the call in the lead-up to last year’s election. He said Federal Labor undertook to examine model proposals as a positive step in promoting a cooperative relationship between the media and the Courts.
   “The use of suppression orders will always be a matter of judicial discretion and they are often imposed to ensure a fair trial,” Mr Hulls said.
   “But a uniform approach to their dissemination will help the media report Curt cases without the risk of an unintended breach.”

2 April, 2008
Seniors go parking with Wildlife Service
The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service is to celebrate NSW Seniors Week 2008 by offering holders of NSW Seniors Cards free entry to national parks on Wednesday, 9 April.
   Seniors Week is organised by the Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care (DADHC) and funded by the NSW Government.
   Marking 50 years of Seniors Week celebrations and events, Seniors Cardholders need only present their card at national park entry stations, or place a photocopy of it on their car’s dashboard when visiting parks with Pay and Display or Self-Registration stations to qualify for the free entry.
   NSWPWS said the free entry was additional to the senior’s discount of 20 per cent for national parks annual passes but did not include camping fees, Discovery tours, museum tours or boat landing fees.
   “Nor does it include access to the Sydney Harbour National Park islands,” the Service said.
   Seniors week is an annual event and will run this year from 6 to 13 April and include more than 700 events across metropolitan, regional and rural NSW.
   The Service said among the many events being staged during the week were a range of talks, tours and activities in national parks.
   For more information about Seniors Week, visit www.nswseniorsweek.com.au  

2 April, 2008
Water prices bubble up
The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal has recommended that the cost of water, sewerage and stormwater services provided by Sydney Water rise on 1 July.
   Under the proposal, first year bills are expected to increase by $95 from last year’s figures for households consuming an average of 200 kilolitres, with increases in following years expected to lead to an estimated annual increase of $203 by 2012.
   IPART Chairman, Dr Michael Keating said the $203 increase would compose of $92 to be put towards developing the desalination plant; $61 to renew and add to existing infrastructure; $32 to ensure a credit rating equivalent to investment grade; and $18 toward Western Sydney recycling.
   The proposed $203 increase is $32 less than the figure Sydney Water sought.
   Dr Keating said the increase in revenue that Sydney Water would reap would be used to expand water mains, reduce leakages, invest in wastewater infrastructure and service new urban development.
   “The increases we have recommended will pay for major capital works such as the desalination plant and water recycling projects,” Dr Keating said.
   “The desalination plant is a major investment and provides an insurance policy against future water shortages arising from droughts.”
   The Tribunal said usage charges would rise from the current first tier price of $1.34 per kilolitre to $1.83 for water used in 2011 to 2012.
   It recalculated the marginal cost of water arising from the 2004 to 2005 determination and has estimated the current marginal cost to be $1.83 per kilolitre.
   The Tribunal said the tariff structure for sewerage, stormwater and other regulated services would remain, but would increase in price.
It said as Sydney was no longer in a period of water scarcity, the inclining block tariff for single dwellings and independently metered households that consumed 400 kilolitre of water would be replaced by a tariff made up of a standard fee and a fee dependant on usage.
   The Tribunal expected the increases to give Sydney Water a BBB credit rating by 2011 or 2012.
   Public comment would be received on the proposal until 18 April by emailing ipart@ipart.nws.gov.au

2 April, 2008
Emergency meeting avoids disasters
Emergency Management Services across Australia are to adopt common procedures and practices following a meeting of Police and Emergency Ministers in Canberra.
   Meeting as the Ministerial Council for Police and Emergency Management, the Ministers issued a communiqué which said they endorsed draft Australian Emergency Management Arrangements which would assist in creating more informed, safer and sustainable communities that were better able to withstand natural disasters.
   Chaired by Commonwealth Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, the Ministerial Council comprises State and Territory Ministers for Emergency Services, and the Australian Local Government Association. At its latest meeting, the Council welcomed New Zealand as a new member, represented by NZ Minister for Civil Defence, Rick Barker.
   The Ministers set up a working group to report to the Council of Australian Governments on the development and implementation of a nationally consistent emergency warning system in Australia.
   All Ministers agreed such a system had the potential to save lives and all expressed a willingness to work to together to ensure better responses to emergencies.
   The Council also agreed to work towards implementing the National Emergency Management Strategy for Remote Indigenous Communities which they saw as critical to prepare vulnerable and isolated Indigenous communities from serious disaster. The Council noted the potential for training, education and employment opportunities for Indigenous people.
   It also recommended implementing a national standard for the introduction of reduced fire risk cigarettes by early 2009 and noted progress towards a single incident management system and enhancing urban search and rescue capacity including working closely with New Zealand.
   The Council acknowledged the invaluable contribution of volunteers and requested a report from the Australian Emergency Management Committee on appropriate methods to recognise, recruit and retain volunteers.
   It also asked the Australian Emergency Management Committee to advise on a new public information campaign to better prepare local communities for emergencies and make them more resilient when it came to responding to natural disasters.

2 April, 2008
Bike committee for parks
The Centennial Park and Moore Park Trust is to set up a Cycling Liaison Committee in response to growing numbers of cyclists using the Centennial Parklands
   The trust hopes to improve its communication with cyclists and to consult on issues raised by other park visitors.
   Cyclists interested in issues relating to the parklands are invited to submit their email address to the Trust to receive a regular eNewsletter.
   Use the feedback form at www.centennialparklands.com.au to register.

Motorist survey
Fair Trading Minister, Linda Burney has released the result of her survey of motorists reporting service stations not selling premium unleaded petrol on Tuesdays.
   She said nearly 400 took part in the survey by naming service stations involved and she would be writing to the Federal Government’s new Petrol Commissioner with a request that he investigate the issue.

Nursing scholarships
The Government has announced it is to more than double the number of scholarships offered to the State's Enrolled Nurses.
   Premier, Morris Iemma said more than 400 Enrolled Nurses would be offered scholarships to undertake a Bachelor of Nursing or Bachelor of Midwifery degree in 2008.
   "The response to our election commitment of 200 scholarships has more than exceeded expectations," Mr Iemma said.

Wine deal a corker
The Sydney Opera House has anointed Hungerford Hill as its Wine Partner in a multi-year agreement.
   The winery plans to mark the occasion with a joint initiative Hungerford Hill Higher Octave Chardonnay, specially labeled featuring Sydney Opera House.
   The Opera House will receive a royalty for each bottle of the wine sold and will feature the winery’s products at its Opera Bar, Aria and Guillame Restaurants.

Reading challenge
Enrolling in the 2008 Premier’s Reading Challenge has become a challenge of another sort for non-Government schools with their Student Upload facility now not available until 8 April.
   Tuesday, 8 April was the former cut-off date for registrations.
   The Premier's Reading Challenge is billed by organisers as the biggest children's book club in Australia.